In the past few years, France's land forces started a process of "profound transformation" to be ready for a high-intensity conflict similar to the war in Ukraine. Lewis Joly/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

France’s army faces deterrence test against Putin’s Russia – POLITICO

by · POLITICO

LILLE, France — Next year will prove a crucial test for the French army as it transforms into a force able to face Russia.

In May, French soldiers will participate in a large-scale military exercise in Romania dubbed Dacian Spring 2025 that will assess their ability to swiftly move to NATO's eastern flank. It's a key competence should Russian President Vladimir Putin decide to attack an alliance member.

“We used to play war. Now there's a designated enemy, and we train with people with whom we'd actually go to war,” the head of the army's land command for Europe, General Bertrand Toujouse, told reporters on Friday.