At the edge of a meadow in western France, General Benoît Desmeulles walks between two armored personnel carriers parked close together beneath trees and brush, heading toward a temporary command area—a grassy spot covered by a tent and multi-spectral camouflage netting.
This is a wartime simulation, with France in command. For the first time, Desmeulles is deploying the French 1st Army Corps’ new mobile command system in its complete form during the Orion 26 exercise.
“Welcome to CP1,” he says, sitting on a dark metal chair at a worn green table. From here, he directs around 120,000 troops participating in the exercise as corps commander. The command post was assembled in just a few hours the previous day, built around six APCs loaded with communications and computing equipment. It will soon relocate to keep pace with five divisions advancing east through the fictional country of “Arnland,” which closely resembles France.
Through Orion 26, France is testing its ability to lead a European corps in high-intensity warfare, acting as the framework nation while the United States urges NATO allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense. In this scenario, the 1st Army Corps oversees divisional headquarters from France, Poland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain.
Desmeulles is experimenting with a layered command system that includes a forward mobile post positioned roughly 80 to 100 kilometers from the combat zone. Designed for mobility and protection, this setup differs from NATO’s traditional static rear-based command centers and aims to speed up decision-making cycles.
The forward command allows leaders to stay close to frontline units. “It enables us to maintain direct contact with divisions and operate as near as possible to the combat area,” Desmeulles explained during a briefing at the Montmorillon training camp. “That’s why we’ve reintroduced armored mobility and survivability features.”
Behind it, a secondary command node handles logistics and host-nation support, while a larger, data-focused headquarters remains in Lille. Desmeulles notes that the streamlined mobile HQ involves only about 50 personnel, compared to the 500 typically required in older setups, making operations far less cumbersome.
While lessons from Ukraine have influenced thinking, Desmeulles emphasized they are not the sole model. Insights from the Gulf Wars and World War II also shaped the redesign. “We must be prepared for conflicts that may look entirely different,” he said.
In earlier roles, including command of the 11th Parachute Brigade, Desmeulles had already pushed to move away from static command posts. Modern warfare has shown that distance no longer guarantees safety, highlighting the need for mobility, dispersion, and careful management of electronic signals.
Setting up CP1 takes about 20 minutes under basic cover, or up to two hours with enhanced camouflage and defensive measures, according to Capt. Charles of the 41st Signal Regiment. One challenge has been integrating advanced systems into existing armored vehicles, such as the VAB, with plans to transition to the newer Griffon APC in the future.
“The biggest advantage is being able to stay close to the divisions leading the fight,” Desmeulles said. “As a corps commander, that’s essential. In real combat, I would want to be alongside them.”
Orion 26 also marks the first field deployment of NATO command networks outside fixed facilities. Unlike past missions—such as in Afghanistan, where command centers resembled permanent cities—today’s systems are designed for mobility to match evolving threats.
The forward post connects to rear command elements through a mix of satellite, radio, and mobile networks, ensuring constant communication. Meanwhile, the main headquarters in Lille houses most personnel and data infrastructure, allowing forward units to remain agile.
France plans to enhance this system further with AI-driven data processing capabilities, similar to the U.S. Project Maven. To improve survivability, the forward command also relies on anti-drone defenses, electronic warfare, and decoys—including fake command posts emitting misleading signals.
Desmeulles believes this approach gives France an edge. “In many NATO training environments, personnel work from buildings and return to hotels at night. We’re developing something far more realistic and deployable,” he said.
Despite improvements, challenges remain—particularly in managing electromagnetic emissions and deception tactics. During the exercise, opposing forces were initially able to detect the command post by tracking signals and confirming visually with a drone, though later efforts were complicated by decoys.
During offensive operations, Desmeulles positions himself closer to frontline units to support division commanders, noting that leadership can often feel isolating and that his presence helps maintain confidence.
France is among the few NATO nations with a fully national corps headquarters capable of integrating into alliance operations. For Orion 26, the corps deployed across France using aircraft, barges, and ships before reaching the Atlantic coast.
As the scenario escalates, integrating the French-led corps into NATO structures presents technical challenges, particularly balancing national authority with alliance coordination. The exercise uses simulated combat powered by software from Masa Group, with future phases involving live troop deployments and river-crossing operations.
After years focused on counterinsurgency, the French Army is shifting back to preparing for high-intensity conflict. It aims to field a war-ready division by 2027 and a fully operational corps by 2030. Reflecting this shift, the 1st Army Corps recently revived its Cold War-era designation.
“We are preparing to deploy the entire corps more quickly and at a much higher level of intensity,” Desmeulles said. “This has changed how we approach command structures, training, and the very concept of a corps.”
He believes the modernization effort places France at the forefront of NATO land force transformation, drawing strong interest from other allied commanders.
“Everyone agrees with the concept, but we’ve taken the step to implement it,” he said. “Now others can see the direction we need to move in.”
While the corps can operate independently of U.S. support thanks to its own communications systems, Desmeulles acknowledged that firepower remains a key limitation, particularly in areas like rocket artillery and howitzers.
The transformation of corps-level command took less than 18 months, involving changes not just in equipment but also in procedures and personnel. “Buying vehicles is the easy part,” he noted. “The real challenge is implementing change across the entire system.”
Asked about the broader message of Orion 26, Desmeulles said it is straightforward: France’s land forces are ready to deploy. “It’s not perfect,” he admitted. “But the corps is operational and ready when needed.”
