Now Reading: France launches high-intensity naval exercise Polaris 25 in the Atlantic Ocean
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France launches high-intensity naval exercise Polaris 25 in the Atlantic Ocean
France launches high-intensity naval exercise Polaris 25 in the Atlantic Ocean
Last Monday, France kicked off the 2025 edition of its flagship high-intensity naval exercise PolarisThe action moves to the Atlantic with a scenario designed to simulate hybrid attacks, multinational naval battles and amphibious operations off the coasts of England and France.
The exercise will run through June 15, mobilizing more than 3,000 French and foreign troops, more than 20 combat ships and more than 40 aircraft, the French Ministry of Defense said. The final phase will include a naval engagement between a task force of five amphibious helicopter carriers and their escorts against an adversary of equal capability.
A new dimension for Polaris: more time, more allies and a hybrid approach
Unlike the inaugural edition of Polaris in 2021, which focused on the Mediterranean, this year's version extends its duration and the presence of international partners, despite having a smaller number of troops due to the absence of the aircraft carrier. Charles de Gaulle and its crew.
"The Polaris 25 exercise pits two symmetric forces against each other in a free-play scenario under near-reality conditions."The French Navy said, noting that this edition is distinguished by its duration, its focus on hybrid action and the magnitude of the resources deployed on the Atlantic coast.
New training areas: from base defense to amphibious warfare
The primary training objectives for Polaris 25 include amphibious operations, protracted defense of naval bases against hybrid threats and protection of maritime approaches. The exercise will evolve from an initial contested phase to open confrontation, reflecting today's challenges in hybrid conflict environments.
The French Navy has intensified its readiness in recent months, conducting live tests with explosive drone boats, F21 torpedo launches and sea mine detonations in the presence of crew on board, as part of its strategy to reinforce immediate combat capability under the command of Admiral Nicolas Vaujour.
A two-phase exercise with broad international participation
The first phase of the exercise, underway until May 26, involves exclusively French units and focuses on defending the ports of Brest and Cherbourg against hybrid attacks that could include commandos, drones, sea mines and cyber attacks.
The second stage will begin with the formation of an international task force in the western Atlantic, composed of amphibious ships from France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, carrying French, British, Spanish, Italian and Brazilian troops, along with helicopters and air support.
Air operations will be led by France, with the possible participation of fighter jets. Rafale in its naval version and refueling aircrafts Airbus.
Between June 1 and 6, the blue force will conduct an amphibious operation off the coast of Devon, southwest England. This will be followed by a five-day period of naval combat against the red force, composed of French, Italian and Dutch frigates, together with French Navy aircraft.
The possible participation of French nuclear-powered attack submarines in both forces is foreseen, and the composition of the opposing forces could change in the course of the maneuvers.
Landings on the French Atlantic coast and a multi-domain approach
The final phase of the exercise, which will begin on June 11, will include a landing on the French Atlantic coast. A notice from the French civil aviation authority establishes a no-fly zone over the Bay of Biscay, from the Gironde estuary to Bayonne, suggesting possible landing operations in this area of wide beaches and heavy surf.
The maneuvers will be developed under an approach multienvironment and multidomainThe aim is to integrate spatial, cybernetic and information resources, with the objective of strengthening the capacity to react to technological and human disruptions.
Polaris 25 will not only enhance the immediate combat readiness of participating forces, but also strengthen cooperation with European and NATO allies to ensure the security of the continent.
