Fire remains central in modern combat

The dossier of issue 57 of Fantassins (autumn-winter 2026), opened by battalion commander Eddy Le Sert, emphasizes that fire remains the decisive means in land combat, with the war in Ukraine highlighting the disruptive role of drones. The destruction or neutralization of the enemy by fire is still the purpose of land combat, but the addition of drones has altered the battlefield dynamics.

Drones' impact on battlefield casualties

According to the commander of the 7th airborne assault corps, drones are responsible for between 70 and 80% of casualties in contact on the Ukrainian battlefield. This dual nature of drones—indirect by range, direct by immediacy and precision—has made them a key factor in modern combat.

Balancing control and reactivity

The dossier outlines the dilemma of control, noting that too much control can break reactivity, while too little can expose forces to fratricide fire. The solution proposed includes decentralized coordination in the third dimension (C3D), pre-approved objectives, and the responsibility of young leaders.

Introducing robot-first technology

The Pendragon program aims to introduce "robot first" technology, where machines enter the battlefield first, carrying the fire while humans remain above the loop. This approach seeks to reduce risk to personnel while maintaining combat effectiveness.

Return of massive fire in high-intensity conflicts

Colonel Arnaud Martin and Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Gendry from the artillery studies and foresight department discuss the return of massive fire in high-intensity conflicts, with artillery remaining "the god of war." The cost-effectiveness of traditional shells compared to teleoperated ammunition is highlighted.

Changing nature of modern warfare

The depth of conflict has changed, with no longer a sanctified rear, as depots, command posts, and infrastructure become targets. Saturation of threats, including drones and decoys, also characterizes modern warfare.

Infantry's evolving role

Battalion commander Loïc Zubrzycki notes that the infantry's lethality no longer primarily relies on its carried weapons but on its ability to integrate all available destruction means. The sensor-effector loop is compressed to just a few dozen seconds, and "time becomes a munition."

Resurgence of mortar support

Lieutenant Colonel Luc Andrea updates on the resurgence of 120 mm mortar support sections of the infantry, engaged in 2024 and set to be completed by 2028. Lieutenant Colonel Philippe Bonnouvrier presents the missile-rocket framework by 2030, organized into four segments, with efforts to densify, diversify, and integrate new technologies.

Challenges of anti-drone strategies

Lieutenant Colonel Renaud Durbecq describes the "very low layer" as a death zone, emphasizing the complexity of anti-drone strategies. Lieutenant Simon Duhoux provides an experience report on the contact drone unit of the 7th alpine hunters battalion, which reduces the delay between detection and strike to a few minutes.

Importance of combat firing training

The dossier also addresses the importance of the shooter's gesture, with Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Allegret and Lieutenant Colonel Christophe Van den Bogaerde tracing twenty years of Combat Firing Instruction (ISTC), which has evolved into a combat pedagogy.

Operational training and effectiveness

Lieutenant Colonel Gautier Costrel de Corainville presents operational combat firing training (ESTOC), allowing leaders to choose axes, positions, and rhythm against unknown targets. Lieutenant Colonel Marc Guivarc’h provides assessments on the effectiveness of direct fire, noting areas for improvement such as target acquisition and fire discipline.

Adapting to special environments

Sergeant Chief Michaël Simal highlights the convergence of infantry and cavalry toward fire control at weapons of the side. Special environments, such as night operations and mountain and extreme cold conditions, are also discussed, emphasizing the need for optronics and specific firing requirements.

Alternative calibers and system mastery

Battalion commander Guillaume de Massia reviews alternative calibers, concluding that the 5.56 of the HK416F remains relevant at close quarters, and that mastering a system is more important than choosing a caliber.

Technology and the role of judgment

The dossier concludes that while technology increases lethality, it does not replace judgment or command. Survivability becomes a separate tactical function, with dispersion, camouflage, and electromagnetic discipline playing key roles.

Connecting information, decision, and action

As summarized by battalion commander Le Sert, a force capable of combining its fires with its maneuver and entrusting the responsibility to the right echelon "imposes initiative and destroys the adversary." The infantry remains the one who connects information, decision, and action at the contact with the enemy.