The French Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade unveiled a suite of new combat systems shaped by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine during an Innovation Day held on January 15, 2026, emphasizing rapid adaptation to high-intensity modern warfare. The event, held at the brigade’s headquarters in Bitche, highlighted technologies developed over the past two years by brigade regiments and aimed at accelerating the operational deployment of battlefield-proven concepts.
Senior French Army leaders were in attendance, 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, responsible for future combat development. Representatives from the defense industry and institutional partners also participated, reflecting the army’s effort to bridge the gap between experimentation and fielded capability.
According to brigade officials, the showcased projects were directly informed by the Ukrainian battlefield experience, where rapid innovation, low-cost systems, and decentralized adaptation have reshaped land warfare. “The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that survivability and effectiveness now depend on rapid deployment, resistance to drones, and the ability to deliver firepower under constant aerial threat,” a brigade spokesperson said.
Among the technologies highlighted was the TEMARA attack drone, an FPV-type platform guided by a fiber-optic cable rather than conventional radio control. Designed to operate in heavily jammed electronic environments, the system allows operators to maintain precise control and includes a secured firing mechanism for close-range strikes against vehicles and fortified positions. Brigade officials noted that TEMARA reflects the increased importance of countering electronic warfare in modern combat.
Another system on display was RIC2RIC, a small teleoperated ground robot designed to support tactical units in high-risk zones. The robot can perform reconnaissance, limited engagement, and obstacle assessment ahead of manned units, echoing Ukraine’s growing reliance on unmanned ground platforms to reduce soldier exposure. Brigade engineers emphasized that RIC2RIC could be rapidly deployed in complex urban and rural environments, offering commanders flexible options for forward operations.
The brigade also introduced PAC 13, a 3D-printed anti-tank mine designed for rapid local production. Drawing inspiration from Ukrainian improvised munitions, PAC 13 demonstrates the French Army’s interest in adaptable, quickly produced ordnance capable of responding to evolving battlefield conditions. Officials said such solutions reduce logistical bottlenecks while enabling frontline units to tailor munitions to terrain and operational requirements.
In addition to unmanned systems, the brigade presented the NTGS mobile mortar concept, a rapid-deployment indirect fire system optimized for contested environments. Lightweight and compact, NTGS can be deployed in under 45 seconds, fire six 120mm mortar rounds in less than one minute, and is compatible with French, Spanish, Bulgarian, and NATO-standard munitions. Designed with stealth and survivability in mind, the system incorporates counter-drone measures and low-signature deployment, reflecting lessons from Ukraine, where mobility and speed are crucial for survival under persistent aerial surveillance.
Adaptive protection concepts for armored vehicles were another focus of the Innovation Day. The brigade demonstrated modular armor solutions designed to reduce vulnerability to top-attack drones and other emerging threats. Officials stressed that traditional armor alone is no longer sufficient in modern combat and that layered, field-adaptable protection is increasingly critical.
The innovation program is supported by the Saint-Louis Institute, which provides expertise in materials, sensors, and weapons development. This collaboration allows brigade units to work directly with engineers, shortening development cycles and ensuring that new systems meet real operational needs. “Close cooperation between operational units and technical experts allows us to move from concept to fielded capability much faster,” said General Coquet.
Brigade leadership emphasized that the ultimate goal is to field a formation capable of high-intensity breakthrough operations against peer adversaries, including breaching fortified defenses and conducting rapid exploitation under constant drone observation. “Scaling these systems beyond prototype status is now our top priority,” the brigade spokesperson noted.
France’s focus on Ukraine-derived lessons is part of a broader NATO reassessment of ground warfare, particularly in drone-dominated environments. Across Europe, armies are reevaluating doctrine, protection, and fire support to adapt to the realities of modern high-intensity conflict. French military officials have described Ukraine as a “real-world laboratory” that provides insights impossible to replicate in training exercises alone.
The Innovation Day in Bitche demonstrated France’s commitment to integrating battlefield lessons into rapid capability development, bridging experimentation and operational readiness. By leveraging unmanned systems, modular protection, and adaptable fire support, the 2nd Armored Brigade aims to maintain a technological edge and prepare for the demands of future high-intensity conflict scenarios.
