France Expands Drone-Combat Units Amid Modern Warfare Shift

Corporal Igor, a 21-year-old in the French Army, recently transitioned from operating a 105 mm gun on an armored vehicle to piloting a first-person view (FPV) drone, reflecting the Army’s shift toward drone warfare.

Inspired by the war in Ukraine, the 1er RIMa converted one of its three light cavalry squadrons into an experimental all-drone unit, which demonstrated such effectiveness that the Army is accelerating its drone-combat unit development.

France deployed a drone-combat unit to Romania for the first time in recent weeks as part of Mission Aigle, and plans to deploy a second unit to Poland for an exercise, according to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Jacques de Montgros.

The 1er RIMa’s experimental drone squadron has served as a model for creating more tactical drone formations, while highlighting the vulnerability of traditional combined-arms tactics to drone threats during exercises.

The squadron, known as the 1st Hunter-Drone Squadron, has tested swarming technology, autonomous terminal guidance, and drone-launch canisters in collaboration with French firms, according to officials.

The concept for the drone squadron originated within the 1er RIMa’s training and operations office in late 2023, based on a proposal by Capt. Guillaume, an open-source intelligence specialist who studied the war in Ukraine.

During a May 2025 exercise in Estonia, the 1er RIMa’s drone pilots accounted for 20% of the attrition inflicted on U.S. troops with Bradleys in a single day, according to Maj. Sylvain, head of operations at the 1er RIMa.

The success of the drone squadron led to its official status in early 2026, with the Army declaring it fully operational. The unit has since continued to rack up virtual kills in subsequent exercises.

The 1er RIMa’s drone squadron has demonstrated the ability to disrupt enemy command structures and target command posts, according to Lt. Col. Aymeric Caussin, commander of the 1er RIMa.

The Army plans to equip five more regiments with all-drone squadrons by 2027, with the 6th Armored Brigade already creating a third drone-combat unit using its own resources.