For more than a year, the French Army has been testing a new approach to military innovation through 18 exploratory hubs managed by the Future Combat Laboratory (LCF). The goal is to rethink how future combat might be conducted, using technologies like drones, artificial intelligence, and ideas coming directly from soldiers on the ground. This marks a shift from traditional methods, where innovation was often decided in Paris rather than in the field. Colonel Philippe Bignon, a deputy at the LCF, outlined the progress of this initiative during a press conference at the Ministry of Defense. Since July 2025, the Army has been setting up a network of 18 such hubs. These hubs are designed to collect and develop ideas from soldiers and military units rather than relying solely on reports from headquarters. The Ministry of Defense has recognized that the fast pace of technological change and evolving threats make it impossible for central planners to anticipate all needs. Colonel Bignon emphasized that the best ideas come from the regiments themselves, where soldiers have the most direct experience with combat conditions. As of now, 13 of the 18 hubs have been established, with the remaining expected to be completed by the end of the year. Each hub is connected to a brigade or division, acting as a local center for innovation. Some projects are particularly unique, like one in French Guiana, which focuses on combat in the Amazonian environment, and another co-managed with Belgium, which concentrates on urban warfare. Each hub is given a specific topic to explore—such as drones, robotics, or urban combat—and their goals are regularly adjusted based on results. To support these efforts, the French government has allocated 2.6 million euros specifically for the hubs, allowing them to test ideas quickly without waiting for lengthy approval processes. The hubs bring together various groups, including large defense companies, young tech startups, researchers, and universities. Technical support comes from the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), which helps with specialized areas like anti-drone warfare. The aim is to streamline communication, ensuring that soldiers' needs reach innovators as efficiently as possible. Drones are a key focus, both as tools of attack and as threats to be countered. Two brigades, the 11th Parachute Brigade and the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade, are especially involved in testing new approaches. Before adopting new equipment, teams analyze how threats behave in real combat. This leads to two kinds of responses: new ways to organize units and new tactical tools, such as drones that can intercept other drones. Artificial intelligence and robotics are also being explored to anticipate how warfare might evolve in the future. To encourage collaboration, the Army is working closely with engineers and researchers. For example, the Institut Saint-Louis, a Franco-German research center, and students from the ENSTA Bretagne engineering school are tackling real problems submitted by the hubs. One year after the project began, the initial evaluation has been positive. Colonel Bignon noted that the new approach has been validated by results, attracting interest from other countries. In the coming months, the effectiveness of these innovations will be tested in two major events: an innovation day in Besançon in September and a large-scale exercise in March 2027.