'Operation Poker': France simulates a nuclear attack with dozens of Rafale jets in a large-scale exercise
A large-scale military exercise took place overnight in French airspace, where the armed forces carried out “Operation Poker” – a realistic simulation of a nuclear air strike, involving about 40 aircraft.
What a nuclear attack would look like, with dozens of Rafale planes PHOTO: EPA EFE
The French Air Force mobilized Rafale fighter jets, air tankers and other apparatus to recreate a nuclear attack scenario. In total, nearly forty planes were involved in the mission, flying over several regions of France overnight, according to CNEWS.
Shortly before the start of the operation, General Stéphane Virem, commander of the Strategic Air Forces, emphasized the importance of the exercise: “This operation is much talked about and truly emblematic of the strategic air force. It is the entire air and space force that is in combat tonight.”
The scenario included both aircraft escorting the raid and aircraft assigned to counter it, with the exercise culminating in a simulated firing. According to military officials, the complexity of the mission was given by the duration and profile of the flight, but also by the simulated oppositions.
“It's a particularly realistic operation due to the flight profile and duration. We face opposition both in the air and on the ground”explained General Etienne Gourdain, Deputy Commander of the French Air Force.
Capability testing and delivering a strategic message
The exercise was not only to verify procedures and test new techniques, but also to demonstrate France's operational capability to allies and potential adversaries.
“There is a second aspect, that of showing our allies, our competitors, our operational credibility, the quality of our crews and their ability to achieve the objective set by the President of the Republic”said Colonel Clément, deputy of the organic brigade of the FAS command.
“Operation Poker” has been held four times a year since October 1964 and allows the army's ability to act under very high intensity conditions to be tested. “We test our ability to gradually act at very high intensity“, stated General Stéphane Virem.
Major changes in France's nuclear doctrine
The exercise comes in a sensitive context after President Emmanuel Macron earlier this month announced an increase in the number of nuclear warheads and an expansion of France's role in European security – some of the most significant changes to nuclear doctrine since the end of the Cold War.
The list of states that could benefit from French nuclear protection includes Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Greece. Romania was not mentioned by the French leader.
“An increase in our arsenal is indispensable“, said Emmanuel Macron, during a visit to the Ile Longue naval base, where France's four nuclear submarines are stationed.
