france

Rafale F3-R fighter jet taxiing on runway at Croatian airbase

12 Rafales Delivered: Croatia’s Biggest Military Upgrade Yet

Croatia has officially completed the delivery of its full squadron of Rafale multirole fighter jets, marking a major milestone in the modernization of its

10 months ago

by Eric Sof

French soldier armed with FAMAS bullpup assault rifle (Photo: XY)

FAMAS: French Army’s bullpup assault rifle

The peculiar shape of the FAMAS rifle has led to it being nicknamed ‘the Trumpet’ by today’s poilus, and in the hands of a well-built soldier, it looks like a toy. But

5 years ago

Rifles

Peloton d’intervention interrégional de Gendarmerie – PI2G

Today, Peloton d’intervention interrégional de Gendarmerie is under AGIGN (Antenna of the GIGN) group for special operations of French National Gendarmerie. In 2016, they went through a reorganisation. Besides the name change,

10 years ago

SWAT

Operator from French Foreign Legion during the deployment in Mali (Photo: French Foreign Legion)

Understanding the Differences Between Ranks in the French Foreign Legion and the Regular French Army

The ranks in the French Foreign Legion are similar to those in the regular French Army. All recruits are volunteers and are known as basic legionnaires. Over time, about 25% will become

11 years ago

Expert Analysis

French Foreign Legion 2e REP in Afghanistan

Training in French Foreign Legion (2e REP Paratroopers)

The training of legionnaires (French Foreign Legion soldiers) is long and grueling by modern standards with the French Foreign Legion able to use techniques and levels of violence far outside of those acceptable in

12 years ago

Combat Training

French Army Special Forces Brigade

The French Army Special Forces Brigade, relatively unknown to the wide public is one of the top special forces in the world. They are based in Pau, Pyrenees-Atlantiques France and they were first activated

12 years ago

Tier 3

The French equivalent for the US Navy SEALs — The French elite counter-terrorism unit GIGN (Photo: XY)

French GIGN: A history of excellence

GIGN is a special unit within the French National Gendarmerie. It was one of the first French special units formed after the Munich 1972 massacre. The Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN)

13 years ago

SWAT

French Nationale Police RAID assault group during operation in Paris — RAID operators during the operation in Paris suburbs (Photo: RAID)

RAID: The Black Panthers of French Police Nationale

After the Munich massacre in 1972, the European countries started to form new law enforcement and military units to deal with similar situations. As the French always had strong Army and law

13 years ago

SWAT

French Foreign Legion: A Comprehensive Guide to the Legendary Military Unit

The French Foreign Legion is a unit of the French Army open to people aged 18 to 40 of any nationality. Potential recruits are required to serve for at least five years

13 years ago

Tier 3

How to become member of the French Foreign Legion? (Photo: XY)

How to Join the French Foreign Legion and What to Expect Upon Arrival

The French Foreign Legion is the only unit of the French Army open to people of any nationality. It is exclusively composed of men – women are not permitted to join. While

13 years ago

Combat Training