In Reims, the 501st Combat Tank Regiment is testing the use of drones as "companions" to the Leclerc tank, a main battle tank used by the French military. These drones are being integrated to enhance the tank's battlefield effectiveness, particularly in gathering real-time intelligence. During a recent field training exercise simulating a high-intensity conflict, the regiment used drones to detect enemy armored vehicles several kilometers north. The exercise involved around 500 military personnel and focused on modernizing traditional combat tactics, drawing inspiration from the widespread use of drones in the war in Ukraine. Colonel Gille, who leads the 501st Combat Tank Regiment, emphasized the regiment's belief in the Leclerc tank's future and its potential to be augmented by drones, electronic warfare, and robotics. He noted that it would take approximately twenty drones to immobilize a Leclerc tank, highlighting the growing importance of aerial support in modern warfare. Despite the increasing focus on drone technology, Colonel Gille stated that the French army has no immediate plans to retire its Leclerc tanks, which remain a cornerstone of its armored forces. The regiment has established the 5th Company, which includes specialized sections for commando operations and drone deployment. Colonel Gille described the drones as "companions" to the tank, providing reconnaissance and expanding the battlefield awareness of tank crews. During the exercise, a drone operator deployed a small observation drone to scout an area near two armored vehicles hidden in a forest. The drone confirmed the area was clear, allowing the Leclerc tanks to advance at 70 km/h toward a village several kilometers away. Colonel Gille reiterated that the Leclerc tank remains a dominant force on the battlefield, capable of withstanding attacks, firing accurately, and advancing effectively. The regiment is also working on the Odin project, which aims to develop a drone that can autonomously fly near the tank, giving the tank commander a "wide third-person view" through a tablet. This development is still in progress, with collaboration from a local Reims-based industrialist. Colonel Gille also envisions a platform on the tank for drone takeoff and landing, as well as fiber-optic drones connected to the tank to resist electronic jamming. The exercise continued northward, with troops moving toward Sissone and passing through Berry-au-Bac, a village where France first used assault tanks in April 1917, marking a historic link between past and present military innovation.