French Army tests Ukraine-inspired battlefield solutions

The French Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade presented new combat systems shaped by battlefield lessons from the war in Ukraine during an Innovation Day held on January 15, 2026, in Bitche, highlighting France’s effort to rapidly adapt its ground forces to modern high-intensity warfare.

The event focused on technologies developed by brigade regiments over nearly two years, with an emphasis on solutions already proven effective on the battlefield in Ukraine, including fiber-optic guided drones, mobile fire support systems, and adaptive protection against strike drones. Military personnel, institutional partners, and defense industry representatives attended the event to accelerate the transition of tested concepts into operational use.

Senior French Army leaders were present, including General Coquet, director of the Army Technical Section (STAT), General Do Tran, commander of the 7th Armored Brigade, General de Saint Victor, commander of the Intelligence and Cyber-Electronic Warfare Brigade, General Ozanne, commander of the 3rd Division, and General Baratz, commander responsible for future combat development.

According to the brigade, the showcased projects reflect direct study of combat practices used by Ukrainian forces, where rapid innovation, low-cost systems, and decentralized adaptation have reshaped ground warfare. French Army officials said the conflict has demonstrated that survivability and effectiveness now depend on speed of deployment, drone resistance, and the ability to deliver firepower under constant aerial threat.

Among the main systems presented was the TEMARA attack drone, an FPV-type platform guided by fiber-optic cable rather than radio control. The brigade said this approach is designed to defeat electronic warfare interference, allowing operators to maintain control even in heavily jammed environments. The system includes a secured firing mechanism and is intended for close-range strikes against vehicles and fortified positions.

The brigade also presented RIC2RIC, a small teleoperated ground robot designed to support tactical units at close range. The robot is intended to conduct reconnaissance and limited engagement tasks ahead of manned units, reflecting Ukraine’s expanding use of unmanned ground platforms to reduce soldier exposure in high-risk zones.

Another system highlighted was PAC 13, a 3D-printed anti-tank mine designed for rapid local production. French Army officials said the concept draws directly from Ukrainian wartime practices, where locally manufactured munitions allow faster adaptation to changing battlefield conditions and terrain.

In addition to drones and robotic systems, the brigade presented the NTGS concept, a new mobile mortar solution developed for rapid fire support in contested environments. The NTGS system is designed for counter-drone and low-signature operations and was demonstrated as part of the innovation program focused on stealth and survivability.

According to the brigade, NTGS is compact and lightweight, allowing deployment in less than 45 seconds. The system is capable of firing six 120mm mortar rounds in under one minute and is compatible with French, Spanish, Bulgarian, and other NATO-standard 120mm mortars. The brigade said the concept reflects lessons from Ukraine, where mobile, quickly deployed indirect fire systems have proven essential for survival under constant drone observation.

French Army officials also reviewed adaptive protection concepts for armored vehicles, including modular solutions intended to reduce vulnerability to top-attack drones. The brigade said the war in Ukraine has shown that traditional armor alone is no longer sufficient, requiring layered and flexible protection that can be adapted in the field.

As noted by the brigade, the innovation program is supported by a close partnership with the Saint-Louis Institute, which provides technical expertise in materials, sensors, and weapons development. This cooperation allows operational units to work directly with engineers, reducing development timelines and aligning new systems with real combat needs.

The 2nd Armored Brigade said its goal is to become a formation capable of breakthrough combat against a peer adversary, including breaching fortified defenses and conducting rapid exploitation under constant drone surveillance and strike pressure. Brigade officials said scaling selected systems beyond prototype status is now the next priority.

France’s focus on Ukraine-derived battlefield lessons reflects a broader shift across NATO ground forces, which are reassessing doctrine, protection, and fire support in response to drone-dominated combat environments. The French Army has described Ukraine as a real-world laboratory for modern land warfare, providing immediate and practical insights that cannot be replicated in exercises alone.