French military prepares for key test against Russia

Politico reported the information. 

Next year marks a pivotal moment for France’s military as it transforms into a force capable of countering Russian threats. The "Dacian Spring 2025" exercise in Romania will assess whether French troops can quickly deploy to NATO’s eastern flank, a vital skill if Russia threatens a member nation.

“We used to play war. Now there's a designated enemy, and we train with people with whom we'd actually go to war,” said General Bertrand Toujouse, head of the army's land command for Europe. Exercises like this are a strategic signal, he added.

In recent years, France’s army has undergone a major overhaul to prepare for high-intensity warfare, similar to what’s happening in Ukraine. By 2027, France is expected to deploy a full division – up to 25,000 soldiers – within 30 days. Next year's exercise, involving up to 5,000 soldiers, will be a crucial step toward that goal.

A big challenge is speed. “There is still no military Schengen,” said General Pierre-Eric Guillot, highlighting the difficulties of moving troops across borders. Red tape and unsuitable trains complicated France’s 2022 troop deployment to Romania, but changes have been made.

“We may still be hampered by a few customs measures, but we've made a lot of progress in diversifying our routes,” Guillot added, explaining that troops now travel by truck, boat, and train.

General Toujouse remains optimistic about passing the test next year, but cautions that long-term success depends on steady defense funding. “If there are major changes, we may delay [the 2027 objective],” warned General Pierre Schill, chief of the French army. However, he stressed this is only a “hypothesis.” For now, France remains committed to meeting NATO’s demands.