FoxZz

That's an interesting thread - thank you.

It's a wheeled Combat and Recon vehicle, it will equip the cavalry regiment from the medium brigades, while the cavalry regiment from the heavy brigades will have their Leclerc tanks modernised. It's main armament is the CTA40 cannon, which is basically an improved 40mm in a 25mm package, and it is also equiped with the new 5th gen MMP atgm to deal with heavy armour. It's the equivalent of the British Ajax (which shares the same gun), the Australian Boxer CRV, the USMC LAV-25 or the new army Stryker Dragoon. Although it has a classic tank design, with engine in the back, instead of an IFV conversion. It allows it to be lighter and lower. Although France will lose its wheeled platform with high caliber guns, the autocannon + atgm + automated 120mm combo should make up for it (MEPAC mortar : http://www.tda-armements.com/content/mo-120-mm-2r2m). Base all around protection is STANAG 4, and it can recieve additional armour packages, RPG kits, hard-kill kits. The crew is protected within a survival cell, which is even more protected and mobility elements also received additional protection. So unless it is hit by a full caliber sabot, crew should survive and be able to bring back the vehicle. It also has avery high anti-mine protection and high mobility. 300 are ordered and deliveries should be completed by 2030.
Here is an in depth review video, although in Frenchn you can but translated subtitles. Keep in mind it's only the first prototype, designed will be refined with trials before it enters full production.
It's the replacement of the old AMX10RCs, ERC90s, and VAB HOT : http://www.janes.com/article/80133/jaguar-prototype-unveiled

It is part of the French Scorpion program, which aims at modernising the French battlegroups, especially their vehicles. It is similar to the British FRES/Strike program.
It includes the replacement of the old VAB, the wheeled tanks and the modernisation of the Leclerc tank.
Here is the replacement of the VAB, without its appliqué armour kit :

http://www.armyrecognition.com/french_army_france_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_uk/griffon_vbmr_6x6_multi-role_armoured_vehicle_ebmr_scorpion_technical_data_sheet_specifications.html
And here is the 4x4 version :

http://defense-update.com/20180212_vbmr-l.html
Those vehicles will be in multiple versions, Mortar version (MEPAC), Ambulance, Artillery, etc.
Scorpion also includes the Felin infantry program and last but not least the CONTACT radio, which is a new radio software that will equip all the armed forces from tanks and infanry to helicopters and planes, it will allow all those elements to communicate directly together in a "numeric battlefield", it is currently being fielded. It also includes the new service rifles for French troops, the HK-416F, and a new ATGM replacing Milan and HOT, the MMP.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/france_french_army_light_and_heavy_weapons_uk/mmp_mbda_medium_range_anti-tank_surface-to-surface_missile_data.html
https://sofrep.com/65812/hk416-new-rifle-french-armed-forces/
Basically in the 2025, French medium brigades will be mainly made of the Jaguar Recon vehicle, the Griffon 6x6 and 4x4 and the CAESAR 6x6. The Heavy Brigades will have Modernised Leclerc MBTs, VBCI 8x8, and the CAESAR 8x8.
Hope all this answer your questions. Do you disagree or are you surprised by the design/concept ? @kinophile

Hello guys it's me again !
In this post I aim to present the grounds for a French campaign fitting into the story line of CM:BS.
Let's first look at the 2013French defence white paper (link in english) : https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/dgris/defence-policy/white-paper-2013/white-paper-2013.
In it you can find the operationnal contract of French armed forces which will be our guideline to build a credible French Orbat for the CM:BS campaign.
In this document its stated p88 that French forces must be able to deploy their forces in three different context, in addition to soverignity and abroad permanent deployment:
A National emergency force of 5000 troops on standby allowing the deployment of 2300 troops in 7 days in a radius of 3000km. This immediate reaction force is made of: A combined land group of 1500 men (rougly 2 GTIA) with armoured vehicles and helicopters A naval group made of one LHD and its escorts, and one SSN An air group of 10 fighter jets as well as supporting transport, refuelling and maritime patrol aircrafts. Three foreign long term non permanent operations of crisis managment (such as Mali or Iraq) with 1 as main contributor. All those operations together represents A combined arms brigade (7000 men), special forces, one LHD and its escorts, approximately 12 jet fighters and appropriate support planes A Major coercitive operation against a peer ennemy in coalition in with "first entry" capability where France would assume partial or full command. With a notice of approximately 6 month and for a limited period of time, France is able to deploy the following components: Two comined arms brigades (approx 15 000 mens), reinforceable by allied brigades to form a NATO type division under French command Up to 45 fighter jets ans supporting aicrafts A naval group made of the Aircraft carrier, 2 LHDs, escorts and SSN resources needed to guarantee the functions of command, intelligence and logistics for the operation (transport, health, fuel, munitions, spare parts). On completion of this engagement,  a remaining force capable of participating in a crisis management operation
over a long period. Those 3 contexts add up together, which means French armed forces are supposed to be able to engage in the 3 at once. As you can see, the third context fits perfectly the Ukraine scenario of CMBS. 
I also used the RAND study on the European generation capabilities posted just above: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1629.html
With this in mind here is my proposal for the deployment of French forces in the fictionnal CM:BS scenario found in the game user book :
Early 2017
In light of the recent developments in Ukraine, the rise of tensions with Russia and the possbility of a conflict, France reduces its footprint the overseas operations to the minimal requirred and cancels the homeland anti-terror operations which overburdens the forces. Armed forces are intensively prepared for the possibility of a conflict with Russia.
France, as the main European military power, also decides to take part in the NATO Task Force in Poland and sends an armoured GTIA  (combined arms battalion approx 800 mens) [represents the 3rd abroad comitment of France as of 2017 with Sahel and Iraq, within the contract]
June 2017
When learning of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the new French president, elected on a "strong EU" promess, decides to uphold his engagements and to send the immediate reaction force.
Within 48 hours an Airborne GTIA (800 mens) is air deployed to reinforce Kiev defenses [Airborne troops part of national emergency force are able to pe deployed at 6000km in 48H, they constitute the QRF of this force :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3q-fh-V3gY]. Air strikes are conducted from mainland France [see operation Hamilton or opening of the Libya campaign] and special forces are inserted. French battalion part of the NATO task force moves into Ukraine and engage combat with first Russian elements.
Within a week, an Amphibious GTIA is assembled and embarks onboard 2 LHDs to sail towards Odessa with the NATO Marine fleet. An Air element of a dozen of Rafale and Mirage fighter jets and support planes are deployed in Polish airbases neighbouring Ukraine [second component of the immediate reaction force, and part of the fleet of the major coercition force].
A French combined arms brigade starts to be assembled to be sent to Ukraine and reinforce the already deployed troops. While plans are drawn for the mobilisation of a second [major corecition scenario]
July 2017
The 1st French Brigade arrives in Ukraine just in time to relieved pressure from Russian offensive on Kiev and takes part in the NATO counter-attack towards central Ukraine [in line with RAND estimated deployment timeline]. Around 45 fighters are now deployd in the AO. French airborne battalion in the North and Amphibious Battalion in the South keep defending Kiev and Odessa respectively.
The 2nd Brigade is assembled and gets ready to be sent to Ukraine under short notice. Reserve vehicles are sent to the front to replace losses.
August 2017
The 2nd French Brigade arrives in Ukraine joins 1st Brigade to form a NATO division under French command with some extra European battalions. The newly formed division take part in the central offensive and races towards Luhansk to cut Russian escape routes. [Maximum French effort planned in the operationnal contract]
Airborne and Amphibious Battalions take part in the general offensive. Amphibious battalion takes Sebastopol again 162 years after the first time.
September 2017
After the cease-fire, most of the French forces are disingaged but a remaining forces stays in the country as a stabilisation force [in line with te white paper].
Here is my realstic scenario, aren't you thrilled ?
EDIT : Post is now complete.

Hello everyone :
Here is a very interesting 1st person video of French CAESAR artillery in Irak during a fire mission : 
https://youtu.be/x_rQ0IaRag0

2 guns firing 6 shells each in less than a minute, very physical for the guys, even though the semi-automatic system helps a lot.
You can notice they're firing almost at full charge, which means they must be targeting a target close to the max range of the gun (42km). 
In this video you can also see a pair of guns doing a MRSI fire mission. First shot at high angle and next one with a lower angle so both rounds arrive at the same time : 
Hope you enjoy !
 
 
 

Hello everyone :
Here is a very interesting 1st person video of French CAESAR artillery in Irak during a fire mission : 
https://youtu.be/x_rQ0IaRag0

2 guns firing 6 shells each in less than a minute, very physical for the guys, even though the semi-automatic system helps a lot.
You can notice they're firing almost at full charge, which means they must be targeting a target close to the max range of the gun (42km). 
In this video you can also see a pair of guns doing a MRSI fire mission. First shot at high angle and next one with a lower angle so both rounds arrive at the same time : 
Hope you enjoy !
 
 
 

Hello guys it's me again !
In this post I aim to present the grounds for a French campaign fitting into the story line of CM:BS.
Let's first look at the 2013French defence white paper (link in english) : https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/dgris/defence-policy/white-paper-2013/white-paper-2013.
In it you can find the operationnal contract of French armed forces which will be our guideline to build a credible French Orbat for the CM:BS campaign.
In this document its stated p88 that French forces must be able to deploy their forces in three different context, in addition to soverignity and abroad permanent deployment:
A National emergency force of 5000 troops on standby allowing the deployment of 2300 troops in 7 days in a radius of 3000km. This immediate reaction force is made of: A combined land group of 1500 men (rougly 2 GTIA) with armoured vehicles and helicopters A naval group made of one LHD and its escorts, and one SSN An air group of 10 fighter jets as well as supporting transport, refuelling and maritime patrol aircrafts. Three foreign long term non permanent operations of crisis managment (such as Mali or Iraq) with 1 as main contributor. All those operations together represents A combined arms brigade (7000 men), special forces, one LHD and its escorts, approximately 12 jet fighters and appropriate support planes A Major coercitive operation against a peer ennemy in coalition in with "first entry" capability where France would assume partial or full command. With a notice of approximately 6 month and for a limited period of time, France is able to deploy the following components: Two comined arms brigades (approx 15 000 mens), reinforceable by allied brigades to form a NATO type division under French command Up to 45 fighter jets ans supporting aicrafts A naval group made of the Aircraft carrier, 2 LHDs, escorts and SSN resources needed to guarantee the functions of command, intelligence and logistics for the operation (transport, health, fuel, munitions, spare parts). On completion of this engagement,  a remaining force capable of participating in a crisis management operation
over a long period. Those 3 contexts add up together, which means French armed forces are supposed to be able to engage in the 3 at once. As you can see, the third context fits perfectly the Ukraine scenario of CMBS. 
I also used the RAND study on the European generation capabilities posted just above: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1629.html
With this in mind here is my proposal for the deployment of French forces in the fictionnal CM:BS scenario found in the game user book :
Early 2017
In light of the recent developments in Ukraine, the rise of tensions with Russia and the possbility of a conflict, France reduces its footprint the overseas operations to the minimal requirred and cancels the homeland anti-terror operations which overburdens the forces. Armed forces are intensively prepared for the possibility of a conflict with Russia.
France, as the main European military power, also decides to take part in the NATO Task Force in Poland and sends an armoured GTIA  (combined arms battalion approx 800 mens) [represents the 3rd abroad comitment of France as of 2017 with Sahel and Iraq, within the contract]
June 2017
When learning of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the new French president, elected on a "strong EU" promess, decides to uphold his engagements and to send the immediate reaction force.
Within 48 hours an Airborne GTIA (800 mens) is air deployed to reinforce Kiev defenses [Airborne troops part of national emergency force are able to pe deployed at 6000km in 48H, they constitute the QRF of this force :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3q-fh-V3gY]. Air strikes are conducted from mainland France [see operation Hamilton or opening of the Libya campaign] and special forces are inserted. French battalion part of the NATO task force moves into Ukraine and engage combat with first Russian elements.
Within a week, an Amphibious GTIA is assembled and embarks onboard 2 LHDs to sail towards Odessa with the NATO Marine fleet. An Air element of a dozen of Rafale and Mirage fighter jets and support planes are deployed in Polish airbases neighbouring Ukraine [second component of the immediate reaction force, and part of the fleet of the major coercition force].
A French combined arms brigade starts to be assembled to be sent to Ukraine and reinforce the already deployed troops. While plans are drawn for the mobilisation of a second [major corecition scenario]
July 2017
The 1st French Brigade arrives in Ukraine just in time to relieved pressure from Russian offensive on Kiev and takes part in the NATO counter-attack towards central Ukraine [in line with RAND estimated deployment timeline]. Around 45 fighters are now deployd in the AO. French airborne battalion in the North and Amphibious Battalion in the South keep defending Kiev and Odessa respectively.
The 2nd Brigade is assembled and gets ready to be sent to Ukraine under short notice. Reserve vehicles are sent to the front to replace losses.
August 2017
The 2nd French Brigade arrives in Ukraine joins 1st Brigade to form a NATO division under French command with some extra European battalions. The newly formed division take part in the central offensive and races towards Luhansk to cut Russian escape routes. [Maximum French effort planned in the operationnal contract]
Airborne and Amphibious Battalions take part in the general offensive. Amphibious battalion takes Sebastopol again 162 years after the first time.
September 2017
After the cease-fire, most of the French forces are disingaged but a remaining forces stays in the country as a stabilisation force [in line with te white paper].
Here is my realstic scenario, aren't you thrilled ?
EDIT : Post is now complete.

FoxZz let me join the general call to include the French forces in CMBS! As a Frenchman I can only applause and support your initiative. And honestly the amount of research you did is very impressive... Hats off! I sincerely hope BF will listen to this plea and as we like to say : "Impossible n'est pas Français !"

Hello guys it's me again !
In this post I aim to present the grounds for a French campaign fitting into the story line of CM:BS.
Let's first look at the 2013French defence white paper (link in english) : https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/dgris/defence-policy/white-paper-2013/white-paper-2013.
In it you can find the operationnal contract of French armed forces which will be our guideline to build a credible French Orbat for the CM:BS campaign.
In this document its stated p88 that French forces must be able to deploy their forces in three different context, in addition to soverignity and abroad permanent deployment:
A National emergency force of 5000 troops on standby allowing the deployment of 2300 troops in 7 days in a radius of 3000km. This immediate reaction force is made of: A combined land group of 1500 men (rougly 2 GTIA) with armoured vehicles and helicopters A naval group made of one LHD and its escorts, and one SSN An air group of 10 fighter jets as well as supporting transport, refuelling and maritime patrol aircrafts. Three foreign long term non permanent operations of crisis managment (such as Mali or Iraq) with 1 as main contributor. All those operations together represents A combined arms brigade (7000 men), special forces, one LHD and its escorts, approximately 12 jet fighters and appropriate support planes A Major coercitive operation against a peer ennemy in coalition in with "first entry" capability where France would assume partial or full command. With a notice of approximately 6 month and for a limited period of time, France is able to deploy the following components: Two comined arms brigades (approx 15 000 mens), reinforceable by allied brigades to form a NATO type division under French command Up to 45 fighter jets ans supporting aicrafts A naval group made of the Aircraft carrier, 2 LHDs, escorts and SSN resources needed to guarantee the functions of command, intelligence and logistics for the operation (transport, health, fuel, munitions, spare parts). On completion of this engagement,  a remaining force capable of participating in a crisis management operation
over a long period. Those 3 contexts add up together, which means French armed forces are supposed to be able to engage in the 3 at once. As you can see, the third context fits perfectly the Ukraine scenario of CMBS. 
I also used the RAND study on the European generation capabilities posted just above: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1629.html
With this in mind here is my proposal for the deployment of French forces in the fictionnal CM:BS scenario found in the game user book :
Early 2017
In light of the recent developments in Ukraine, the rise of tensions with Russia and the possbility of a conflict, France reduces its footprint the overseas operations to the minimal requirred and cancels the homeland anti-terror operations which overburdens the forces. Armed forces are intensively prepared for the possibility of a conflict with Russia.
France, as the main European military power, also decides to take part in the NATO Task Force in Poland and sends an armoured GTIA  (combined arms battalion approx 800 mens) [represents the 3rd abroad comitment of France as of 2017 with Sahel and Iraq, within the contract]
June 2017
When learning of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the new French president, elected on a "strong EU" promess, decides to uphold his engagements and to send the immediate reaction force.
Within 48 hours an Airborne GTIA (800 mens) is air deployed to reinforce Kiev defenses [Airborne troops part of national emergency force are able to pe deployed at 6000km in 48H, they constitute the QRF of this force :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3q-fh-V3gY]. Air strikes are conducted from mainland France [see operation Hamilton or opening of the Libya campaign] and special forces are inserted. French battalion part of the NATO task force moves into Ukraine and engage combat with first Russian elements.
Within a week, an Amphibious GTIA is assembled and embarks onboard 2 LHDs to sail towards Odessa with the NATO Marine fleet. An Air element of a dozen of Rafale and Mirage fighter jets and support planes are deployed in Polish airbases neighbouring Ukraine [second component of the immediate reaction force, and part of the fleet of the major coercition force].
A French combined arms brigade starts to be assembled to be sent to Ukraine and reinforce the already deployed troops. While plans are drawn for the mobilisation of a second [major corecition scenario]
July 2017
The 1st French Brigade arrives in Ukraine just in time to relieved pressure from Russian offensive on Kiev and takes part in the NATO counter-attack towards central Ukraine [in line with RAND estimated deployment timeline]. Around 45 fighters are now deployd in the AO. French airborne battalion in the North and Amphibious Battalion in the South keep defending Kiev and Odessa respectively.
The 2nd Brigade is assembled and gets ready to be sent to Ukraine under short notice. Reserve vehicles are sent to the front to replace losses.
August 2017
The 2nd French Brigade arrives in Ukraine joins 1st Brigade to form a NATO division under French command with some extra European battalions. The newly formed division take part in the central offensive and races towards Luhansk to cut Russian escape routes. [Maximum French effort planned in the operationnal contract]
Airborne and Amphibious Battalions take part in the general offensive. Amphibious battalion takes Sebastopol again 162 years after the first time.
September 2017
After the cease-fire, most of the French forces are disingaged but a remaining forces stays in the country as a stabilisation force [in line with te white paper].
Here is my realstic scenario, aren't you thrilled ?
EDIT : Post is now complete.

Well it would have made sense back then for sure, I think it would be a pity to make all the effort of creating the faction and implementing it in the previous game. Especially since a lot, I mean A LOT changed in the French army since then.I think gameplay wise it would also be more interesting to play the French against a challenging faction like the Russians, rather than against the Syrian army. French army would also be a nice contender against Russia in multiplayer, as it would be more on par with Russia than the US.
Lastly, from a political standpoint, Eastern Europe is a major point of interest for French diplomacy, it would be very unlikely for the fisrt military power on the continent, always talking about european defense, not to get involved in a conflict at the border of the EU. For example, France is taking part in the NATO task force in the Baltics, in the last Trident Juncture it was one of the main contributor, so it would probably send a sizeable force in Ukraine.

Tbh, comparing Coalition and Russia in Syria can be very misleading, it's easy to have high number of target hits and combat sorties when you bomb indinstinctivly (on purpose ?) civilian and military targets and when you have very flexible RoE ... The fact that Russian planes almost always use non guided bomb should be a hint.
I think the Russian army is force to be recon with, and I think CM:BS depicts it well, when you use the appropriate unit to order artillery fires you get very good response times, imho the issue is more with the US army which was kind of overbuffed in some aspects which explains the imbalance. The Abrams could certainly be toned down a little and it should not whistand so many artillery hits, the APS systems which were not fitted in 2017 or the modern grenade launcher which I have never seen other than in the game are also over abundant in my mind. That being said, the US has a tactical technical edge, and this should be balanced by scenario designers.
 

Tbh, comparing Coalition and Russia in Syria can be very misleading, it's easy to have high number of target hits and combat sorties when you bomb indinstinctivly (on purpose ?) civilian and military targets and when you have very flexible RoE ... The fact that Russian planes almost always use non guided bomb should be a hint.
I think the Russian army is force to be recon with, and I think CM:BS depicts it well, when you use the appropriate unit to order artillery fires you get very good response times, imho the issue is more with the US army which was kind of overbuffed in some aspects which explains the imbalance. The Abrams could certainly be toned down a little and it should not whistand so many artillery hits, the APS systems which were not fitted in 2017 or the modern grenade launcher which I have never seen other than in the game are also over abundant in my mind. That being said, the US has a tactical technical edge, and this should be balanced by scenario designers.
 

From your lips to Steve's and Charles' ears.

Sure thing.
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1629.html

I am rather uncertain as to how this would change the balance of forces in Ukraine.

Hello guys,
So I figured that the main difficulty devs would get trying to implement the French is language barrier and finding sources especially considering French army organisation was quite significantly tweaked in 2014-2016.
So I've managed to build a quite precise Order of Battle from online ressources, and magazines. I've not taken into account units out of the scope of the game such as logistic and non-combat support elements and command elements are greatly simplify (as a result command element are the least accurate I think). This may not be 100% accurate, especially regarding support elements, but main combat formations should be exact.
The document presents the main formations from which are drawn the GTIAs and SGTIAs as well as off-map assets that would make it in the game scope.
Except when specified otherwise, all soldiers are carrying a Famas assault rifle.
Doctrine wise, when it comes to fire suport, French army is quite close from the US army. For Artillery Fires, Squad Leader and Platoon Leaders can order simple artillery fires, while Foward Observers will provide more advanced fires (danger close fires, predicted fires, special effect shells, large bombardments). When directed by foward observers and their observation vehicles, fires don't require ranging shot.
For CAS, Foward Observers and TACP teams are allowed to guide an airstrike, but also a Platoon Leader in certain circonstances. The main difference (at least from how US army is depicted ingame) is for helicopters and CCS. In French doctrine, Helicopters will enter in direct radio contact with the supported units and are responsible for the fires they make, all units from Squad Leaders and upwards can guide helicopters. They will also provide them recon and intel directly.
Next time I'll try to present the different vehicles and armaments with "stats" similarly as how US, Ukrainian and Russian weapons are presented in the Game Manual.
ToE France CMBS2.docx

Hello guys,
So I figured that the main difficulty devs would get trying to implement the French is language barrier and finding sources especially considering French army organisation was quite significantly tweaked in 2014-2016.
So I've managed to build a quite precise Order of Battle from online ressources, and magazines. I've not taken into account units out of the scope of the game such as logistic and non-combat support elements and command elements are greatly simplify (as a result command element are the least accurate I think). This may not be 100% accurate, especially regarding support elements, but main combat formations should be exact.
The document presents the main formations from which are drawn the GTIAs and SGTIAs as well as off-map assets that would make it in the game scope.
Except when specified otherwise, all soldiers are carrying a Famas assault rifle.
Doctrine wise, when it comes to fire suport, French army is quite close from the US army. For Artillery Fires, Squad Leader and Platoon Leaders can order simple artillery fires, while Foward Observers will provide more advanced fires (danger close fires, predicted fires, special effect shells, large bombardments). When directed by foward observers and their observation vehicles, fires don't require ranging shot.
For CAS, Foward Observers and TACP teams are allowed to guide an airstrike, but also a Platoon Leader in certain circonstances. The main difference (at least from how US army is depicted ingame) is for helicopters and CCS. In French doctrine, Helicopters will enter in direct radio contact with the supported units and are responsible for the fires they make, all units from Squad Leaders and upwards can guide helicopters. They will also provide them recon and intel directly.
Next time I'll try to present the different vehicles and armaments with "stats" similarly as how US, Ukrainian and Russian weapons are presented in the Game Manual.
ToE France CMBS2.docx

So I was thinking of making a little presentation of the French concept of SGTIA and GTIAs, but first, let's look at the French Army OOB :

Bulk of the French army is made of 2 divisions each one encompassing specialisd arty and egineer units, 1 armoured brigade, 1 mechanised brigade and 1 light brigade (moutain or airborne). Each brigade is made of 2 tank regiments, 3 infantry regiments, one artilley regiment and one engineer regiment. The light brigades only have 1 cavalry regiment (but the airborne brigade has 1 more infantry regiment).
Regiments however, are not an operationnal unit, they're not meant to be deployed as a whole. Instead they're the administrative and training echellon. By the way they're called regiment even if they're battalion size, that's tradition. In French army, the first echellon to be deployed organically is the compagny.
Those compagnies once deployed will constitute a SGTIA (combined arms  task force of the size of a big company). Those SGTIAs are made of combination of 4/5 melee units such as infantry, cavalry and light aviation in variable proportions supported by elements from the support arms : engineering, artillery, logistics. The core of a SGTIA is a company from a melee arm, supported by 1/2 platoons from the other melee arms. So you can generate SGTIAs with a cavalry, infantry or airmobile emphasis. However, SGTIA are fisrt and foremost a flexible structure adapted to the needs of the mission. Hence, they can have a mixed emphasis with cavalry and infantry in equal proportions for example. Support arms can also generate specialised SGTIAs to operate at a higher level. For example, an Artillery SGTIA based on an artillery battery of 8 guns and an artilley radar, with attachments of a cavalry recon platoon, infantry protection platoon and engineer road recon and clearance element. SGTIAs are the smallest autonomous element, but are not meant to fight alone. Instead, several SGTIAs make a GTIA (combined arms battalion size task force).
A GTIA is the elementary unit of the french army in a combat zone. It's the same concept as the SGTIA but bigger and can be operated independatly. It's made out of minimum 4 and maximum 6 melee elements, usually SGTIAs of infantry, cavalry or airmobile emphasis and support elements such as an artillery battry, an engineer company, logistics, drones, etc. Those support elements can be deployed as an organic compagny or have the form of a SGTIA if extra support is needed to protect them. GTIAs will also have a dominant arm although they can be mixed. GTIAs don't have to use their melee component as SGTIAs, they can use them as organic compagnies as well if a low level of combined arms is not necessary. A typical infantry focused GTIA will be made out of 3 infantry companies, 1 cavalry company, 1 artillery battery, 1 engineer company, logistic element, and other support elements such as Manpads, Drones, Commando recon platoon, etc. It can be reinforced by additional elements such as an ATGM platoon, a CIMIC or a Gendarmerie element depending of the context it is used in.
SGTIAs and GTIAs can also have different types of equipment, for example a cavalry focuses SGTIA can be equipped with Leclerc or AMX10RCR tanks, while an infantry focused SGTIA can be equipped with VCBI, VAB or BvS10 transports. It can also have a mix of those, for example, 1 Leclerc platoon, 1 AMX 10 platoon, 1 VBCI platoon and 3 VAB platoons.
Combined arms elements at the platoon level can also be assembled in the form of a DIA (Détachement inter-armes), often used as a liaison and support unit to mentor allied elements of a lesser military capabilities.
Several GTIAs will make a Combined Arms Brigade with dedicated support GTIAs (artillery, long range recon) and reinforcements. Each Divsion of the French army is supposed to be able to generate one Combined Arms brigade for an high intensity engagement within a coalition such as Ukraine.
This decentralisation is permitted by the digitalisation of the battlespace that occured in the French army since the 2000s, that basically allows blue on blue tracking and brings a comprehensive C2 and transmission system.
This battlegrouping strategy allows the French army to deploy tailor made units to suit the needs of the mission and to dipose of autonomous units up to the platoon level if needed. Furthermore, it simplify training and maintenance when not deployed as it allows pools of specialty. It also allow to have true specialist that have mastered their craft.However, the downside of such a modular system is that soldiers of the different units pulled together don't know themselves very much, they might not know how the other arms work, similarly, there is not a strong esprit de corps because those are ad-hoc units. This issue is adressed with the Brigade system, units are pulled from the same Brigade and will train themselves at SGTIA and GTIA level regularly. Similarly, if the deployment is planned ahead, the units that will be deployed together will prepare their projection together. This system allows those disparate task force to work well together and give the military leader a great adaptability and responsiveness.
However, it is not the only reason. French army thanks to its colonial history and the wars it fought the last 60 years has acquirred tradition of combined arms at the lower echellon and an emphasis on mission command and lower echellon initiative, thats is since the proffesionalisation shared among all the army. The capability of all the arms and corps to work together on the fly comes from this history and allows the battlegrouping system. However, if such a system is often used to spread a small amount of forces on great distances to suit counter-insurrection needs in remote place, in the event of a conventionnal war such as depicted in the game, the battlegroups would operate much more closely, with more support, and sometimes with a more direct command. This is planned in the doctrine.
So, how does this system translates into the game ? Well the SGTIA is the perfect echellon for the scale of the game, and this plug and play approach fits what players effectively do in game editor. When creating their battlegroup, players should be able to choose among the typical battlegroups depictable in the game : SGTIA Infantry, Cavalry and mixed, but should also have at their disposal the main organic companies to pick the individual platoons they need to reinforce their core.
I've joint a powerpoint that presents different examples of what a SGTIA, GTIA, BIA and DIA looks like.
I really hope French army will be depicted in CM:BS to try those organisations and interesting kits. It's very rare to be able to play France in a video game. I hope other nations will be added too of course, such as UK, Great Britain and Poland. And maybe also smaller armies such as Canada and Netherlands
GTIA.pptx

Hello guys,
Just a quick update, French army has just used for the first time the Bonus shell (I wrote about it in the OP) in operations. On the 3rd of December, French Artillery received the order to destroy a column of ISIS vehicles on the move, they fired 4 bonus shells from their CAESAR howizers and destroyed 8 technicals.
This happened near the town of Hajin in Syria (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hajin,+Syrie/@34.4214663,40.7112374,10z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x154625b5eac1ec3f:0x7afb8d08c6f735f!8m2!3d34.6866678!4d40.8348715) French gun are only operating in Irak which means they fired over the border, which is at around 30kms of Irak. This means that it was quite a long range shot ! Maximum range of CAESAR guns is around 40kms.
Here is the French report :
 
I was wondering if such a shell could be modelled in CM:BS.

Hello guys,
So I figured that the main difficulty devs would get trying to implement the French is language barrier and finding sources especially considering French army organisation was quite significantly tweaked in 2014-2016.
So I've managed to build a quite precise Order of Battle from online ressources, and magazines. I've not taken into account units out of the scope of the game such as logistic and non-combat support elements and command elements are greatly simplify (as a result command element are the least accurate I think). This may not be 100% accurate, especially regarding support elements, but main combat formations should be exact.
The document presents the main formations from which are drawn the GTIAs and SGTIAs as well as off-map assets that would make it in the game scope.
Except when specified otherwise, all soldiers are carrying a Famas assault rifle.
Doctrine wise, when it comes to fire suport, French army is quite close from the US army. For Artillery Fires, Squad Leader and Platoon Leaders can order simple artillery fires, while Foward Observers will provide more advanced fires (danger close fires, predicted fires, special effect shells, large bombardments). When directed by foward observers and their observation vehicles, fires don't require ranging shot.
For CAS, Foward Observers and TACP teams are allowed to guide an airstrike, but also a Platoon Leader in certain circonstances. The main difference (at least from how US army is depicted ingame) is for helicopters and CCS. In French doctrine, Helicopters will enter in direct radio contact with the supported units and are responsible for the fires they make, all units from Squad Leaders and upwards can guide helicopters. They will also provide them recon and intel directly.
Next time I'll try to present the different vehicles and armaments with "stats" similarly as how US, Ukrainian and Russian weapons are presented in the Game Manual.
ToE France CMBS2.docx

Hello all,
As it's rumored that this game is expecting several DLCs, I take this opportunity to make a plea for a French DLC, or a LDC including the French. Why should the French be included in a DLC over other nations ?
First, let's look at the setting. Game setting is placed in Ukraine, at the border of Europe in 2017/2018. France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it's the third world's nuclear power, and the first military power of Europe (if Russia doesn't count as Europe). Diplomatically, France has been at the forefront of the discussion on Ukraine, being at the initiative of the Minsk II agreements, and is as such very involved on this matter. Historically, France is a very active military power and has significantly taken part in all the majors conflicts since the end of the Cold War : Gulf War, Yougoslavia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Lybia, Mali, Syria, etc. Furthermore France is regularly (and currently) involved in NATO and bilateral military exercises in Eastern Europe which show its commitment to the security of this region. Lastly, France would probably be able to come very quicly into the theater with significant amount of troops having a very high readiness and being located in continental Europe. All those elements make it almost certain that France would get involved in a conflict in Ukraine.
On a gameplay point of vue, we would get a ton of exotic toys. Most of French gear and vehicles are indegenously devlopped. It would be also very refreshing as French military very rarely depicted in the Video Game industry (at the exception of the Warhame series). French army is also very modern and would be balanced with US and Russian military. Interesting fact, French army is the only to have fielded operationally its future soldier system program. French army also has an orginal doctrine which differs from the US or Russian one: emphasis on mobility, flexbility, and initiative, even at the lower echellons, which comes from its exprience in irregular warfare. It influenced many of its military design, with, for example, an emphasis of wheeled vehicles. As such, many asks, how would this system fare in a more conventionnal context ? CM:BS gives us the opportunity to test it. Here is a link about French Doctrine https://wavellroom.com/2017/11/30/the-french-intervention-in-mali-a-lesson-in-mission-command/
Moreover, as I said, French armed forces are very rarely depicted in video games, and French video games market is very dynamic one with 4,3 billion euros of revenue in 2017. So it would probably attract many French players eager to play their national forces (even if they're not very vocal on english speaking forums) while also attracting players from all around the world interested in brand new faction. Lastly, French forces are the only major military power never depicted in a modern CM game. We had the US, Russia, Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, but not France.
 
Operationnal structure :
The basic infantry combat squad is made of 8 soldiers: 1 squad leader, 1 marksman, 1 300m fire team with 1 team leader and 2 AT4 soldiers and 1 600m team with 1 team leader, 1 minimi soldier and 1 light mortar soldier. There is 3 combat squad in a platoon as well as one support squad made of 1 squad leader and 2 Eryx teams, which can exchange the Eryx against M240 MGs. Lastly, the platoon is led by a 4 men command team with one platoon leader and its deputy, one radio operator and one medic.
3 infantry platoons are supported by a weapon platoon with two 81mm mortars teams and two MILAN atgm teams, those teams can also be armed with .50 calls or .30 calls. This makes a company.
The French cavalry platoon is made of 4 tanks (Leclerc or AMX10RC) and 4 armoured scout cars (VBLs). There is also a recon platoon made of 8 scout cars with different equipments (Milan, .50, .30, etc)
The compagny is the center of an infantry centric French operationnal Battlegroup. Then, it receives several reinforcements from other arms. Usually, a cavalry platoon, an artillery battery, a engineer platoon, a recon platoon as well as support elements (Snipers, JTACs, Commandos, Logistics, Transmission, Health and Oil services, etc). If the battlegroup is cavalry centric, then, its made around a Cavalry squadron, with the support of an infantry platoon, etc. There is also the possibilty of mixing it up with two infantry platoons and two cavalry platoons, etc.
Those battlegroups are part of a broader battallion  which can either use them dispersed or together. Usually it's made of 3 infantry compagnies and 1 tank  squadron and the support elements. The proportion between tanks and infantry varies in the same fashion as in BG depending of the need. Nowadays, French troops are always deployed in Battlegroups or Battallions. Regiments, Brigades and Division are only used as adminsitrative command levels in metropolitan France.
 
As of 2017, here is a list of indigenous French army armament :
- Leclerc MBT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMX_Leclerc ; http://www.military-today.com/tanks/leclerc.htm
- AMX 10 RCR wheeled tank: http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/France/AMX-10-RC-RCR.php
- VBCI IFV: http://www.military-today.com/apc/vbci.htm
- VAB line of vehicles, including ULTIMA version with remote .50 cal, Mephisto version with HOT missiles, 20mm version, etc: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Véhicule_de_l'Avant_Blindé
- VBL scout vehicle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Véhicule_Blindé_Léger
- PVP liaison vehicle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petit_Véhicule_Protégé
- 120mm Rifled Mortar, its rifling permits to fire bigger shells (similar effect than 155mm shells) at longer ranges than regular mortars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortier_120mm_Rayé_Tracté_Modèle_F1
- CAESAR 155mm SPG: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAESAR_self-propelled_howitzer ; https://www.army-technology.com/projects/caesar/ ; http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product1470.htm
- 81mm Mortar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LLR_81mm
- FAMAS assault rifle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAMAS
- FRF2 and HECATE II sniper rifles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FR_F2_sniper_rifle ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGM_Hécate_II
- MILAN 3, ERYX and HOT 3 ATGMs: https://www.army-technology.com/projects/milan/ ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ERYX ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HOT_(missile)
- Mistral MANPAD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral_(missile)
- Tiger HAD and HAP attack helicopters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_Tiger
- Gazelle HOT scout helicopter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aérospatiale_Gazelle
- Rafale fighter-bomber: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Rafale
- Mirage 2000D bomber: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Mirage_2000N/2000D
 
France interesting bits of kit :
- Rifle Grenades, both anti-tank and HE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC58 ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APAV40
- Infantry mortars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance-grenade_individuel_Mle_F1_(LGI_Mle_F1)
- BONUS anti-tank shells: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bofors_155_Bonus
- SPACIDO precision fuse: http://www.nexter-group.fr/en/press/528-spacido-la-france-engage-la-phase-finale-de-la-qualification-du-premier-systeme-dartillerie-a-correction-de-trajectoire-de-nexter-munitions-et-junghans ; http://basart.artillerie.asso.fr/article.php3?id_article=1341
- FELIN system, with special optics and improved situation awarness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FÉLIN
- AASM self propelled stand-off bomb, with a low altitude launch range of 15km, which allows the plane to escape long range anti-air missile while staying out of range of SHORAD systems: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AASM
 
Here are some videos where you can see most of the gear I talked about :
 
In 2017 in Estonia, where you can how would look like a French Battlegroup in CM:BS  :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9tzEyWL-zo&
 
Combat actions in Mali where you can see VBCI, VAB, AMX10RC, shoulder launched Eryx, Rifle grenades, infantry mortar, Hecate II, Tiger, etc
 
So, as you saw, lots of interesting and cool stuff could get added into the game with a French DLC. I hope it will convince you ! DOn't hesistate if you have any question.
 
Here is a last video to convince you of the awesomeness of the French Army
 

So I was thinking of making a little presentation of the French concept of SGTIA and GTIAs, but first, let's look at the French Army OOB :

Bulk of the French army is made of 2 divisions each one encompassing specialisd arty and egineer units, 1 armoured brigade, 1 mechanised brigade and 1 light brigade (moutain or airborne). Each brigade is made of 2 tank regiments, 3 infantry regiments, one artilley regiment and one engineer regiment. The light brigades only have 1 cavalry regiment (but the airborne brigade has 1 more infantry regiment).
Regiments however, are not an operationnal unit, they're not meant to be deployed as a whole. Instead they're the administrative and training echellon. By the way they're called regiment even if they're battalion size, that's tradition. In French army, the first echellon to be deployed organically is the compagny.
Those compagnies once deployed will constitute a SGTIA (combined arms  task force of the size of a big company). Those SGTIAs are made of combination of 4/5 melee units such as infantry, cavalry and light aviation in variable proportions supported by elements from the support arms : engineering, artillery, logistics. The core of a SGTIA is a company from a melee arm, supported by 1/2 platoons from the other melee arms. So you can generate SGTIAs with a cavalry, infantry or airmobile emphasis. However, SGTIA are fisrt and foremost a flexible structure adapted to the needs of the mission. Hence, they can have a mixed emphasis with cavalry and infantry in equal proportions for example. Support arms can also generate specialised SGTIAs to operate at a higher level. For example, an Artillery SGTIA based on an artillery battery of 8 guns and an artilley radar, with attachments of a cavalry recon platoon, infantry protection platoon and engineer road recon and clearance element. SGTIAs are the smallest autonomous element, but are not meant to fight alone. Instead, several SGTIAs make a GTIA (combined arms battalion size task force).
A GTIA is the elementary unit of the french army in a combat zone. It's the same concept as the SGTIA but bigger and can be operated independatly. It's made out of minimum 4 and maximum 6 melee elements, usually SGTIAs of infantry, cavalry or airmobile emphasis and support elements such as an artillery battry, an engineer company, logistics, drones, etc. Those support elements can be deployed as an organic compagny or have the form of a SGTIA if extra support is needed to protect them. GTIAs will also have a dominant arm although they can be mixed. GTIAs don't have to use their melee component as SGTIAs, they can use them as organic compagnies as well if a low level of combined arms is not necessary. A typical infantry focused GTIA will be made out of 3 infantry companies, 1 cavalry company, 1 artillery battery, 1 engineer company, logistic element, and other support elements such as Manpads, Drones, Commando recon platoon, etc. It can be reinforced by additional elements such as an ATGM platoon, a CIMIC or a Gendarmerie element depending of the context it is used in.
SGTIAs and GTIAs can also have different types of equipment, for example a cavalry focuses SGTIA can be equipped with Leclerc or AMX10RCR tanks, while an infantry focused SGTIA can be equipped with VCBI, VAB or BvS10 transports. It can also have a mix of those, for example, 1 Leclerc platoon, 1 AMX 10 platoon, 1 VBCI platoon and 3 VAB platoons.
Combined arms elements at the platoon level can also be assembled in the form of a DIA (Détachement inter-armes), often used as a liaison and support unit to mentor allied elements of a lesser military capabilities.
Several GTIAs will make a Combined Arms Brigade with dedicated support GTIAs (artillery, long range recon) and reinforcements. Each Divsion of the French army is supposed to be able to generate one Combined Arms brigade for an high intensity engagement within a coalition such as Ukraine.
This decentralisation is permitted by the digitalisation of the battlespace that occured in the French army since the 2000s, that basically allows blue on blue tracking and brings a comprehensive C2 and transmission system.
This battlegrouping strategy allows the French army to deploy tailor made units to suit the needs of the mission and to dipose of autonomous units up to the platoon level if needed. Furthermore, it simplify training and maintenance when not deployed as it allows pools of specialty. It also allow to have true specialist that have mastered their craft.However, the downside of such a modular system is that soldiers of the different units pulled together don't know themselves very much, they might not know how the other arms work, similarly, there is not a strong esprit de corps because those are ad-hoc units. This issue is adressed with the Brigade system, units are pulled from the same Brigade and will train themselves at SGTIA and GTIA level regularly. Similarly, if the deployment is planned ahead, the units that will be deployed together will prepare their projection together. This system allows those disparate task force to work well together and give the military leader a great adaptability and responsiveness.
However, it is not the only reason. French army thanks to its colonial history and the wars it fought the last 60 years has acquirred tradition of combined arms at the lower echellon and an emphasis on mission command and lower echellon initiative, thats is since the proffesionalisation shared among all the army. The capability of all the arms and corps to work together on the fly comes from this history and allows the battlegrouping system. However, if such a system is often used to spread a small amount of forces on great distances to suit counter-insurrection needs in remote place, in the event of a conventionnal war such as depicted in the game, the battlegroups would operate much more closely, with more support, and sometimes with a more direct command. This is planned in the doctrine.
So, how does this system translates into the game ? Well the SGTIA is the perfect echellon for the scale of the game, and this plug and play approach fits what players effectively do in game editor. When creating their battlegroup, players should be able to choose among the typical battlegroups depictable in the game : SGTIA Infantry, Cavalry and mixed, but should also have at their disposal the main organic companies to pick the individual platoons they need to reinforce their core.
I've joint a powerpoint that presents different examples of what a SGTIA, GTIA, BIA and DIA looks like.
I really hope French army will be depicted in CM:BS to try those organisations and interesting kits. It's very rare to be able to play France in a video game. I hope other nations will be added too of course, such as UK, Great Britain and Poland. And maybe also smaller armies such as Canada and Netherlands
GTIA.pptx

So I was thinking of making a little presentation of the French concept of SGTIA and GTIAs, but first, let's look at the French Army OOB :

Bulk of the French army is made of 2 divisions each one encompassing specialisd arty and egineer units, 1 armoured brigade, 1 mechanised brigade and 1 light brigade (moutain or airborne). Each brigade is made of 2 tank regiments, 3 infantry regiments, one artilley regiment and one engineer regiment. The light brigades only have 1 cavalry regiment (but the airborne brigade has 1 more infantry regiment).
Regiments however, are not an operationnal unit, they're not meant to be deployed as a whole. Instead they're the administrative and training echellon. By the way they're called regiment even if they're battalion size, that's tradition. In French army, the first echellon to be deployed organically is the compagny.
Those compagnies once deployed will constitute a SGTIA (combined arms  task force of the size of a big company). Those SGTIAs are made of combination of 4/5 melee units such as infantry, cavalry and light aviation in variable proportions supported by elements from the support arms : engineering, artillery, logistics. The core of a SGTIA is a company from a melee arm, supported by 1/2 platoons from the other melee arms. So you can generate SGTIAs with a cavalry, infantry or airmobile emphasis. However, SGTIA are fisrt and foremost a flexible structure adapted to the needs of the mission. Hence, they can have a mixed emphasis with cavalry and infantry in equal proportions for example. Support arms can also generate specialised SGTIAs to operate at a higher level. For example, an Artillery SGTIA based on an artillery battery of 8 guns and an artilley radar, with attachments of a cavalry recon platoon, infantry protection platoon and engineer road recon and clearance element. SGTIAs are the smallest autonomous element, but are not meant to fight alone. Instead, several SGTIAs make a GTIA (combined arms battalion size task force).
A GTIA is the elementary unit of the french army in a combat zone. It's the same concept as the SGTIA but bigger and can be operated independatly. It's made out of minimum 4 and maximum 6 melee elements, usually SGTIAs of infantry, cavalry or airmobile emphasis and support elements such as an artillery battry, an engineer company, logistics, drones, etc. Those support elements can be deployed as an organic compagny or have the form of a SGTIA if extra support is needed to protect them. GTIAs will also have a dominant arm although they can be mixed. GTIAs don't have to use their melee component as SGTIAs, they can use them as organic compagnies as well if a low level of combined arms is not necessary. A typical infantry focused GTIA will be made out of 3 infantry companies, 1 cavalry company, 1 artillery battery, 1 engineer company, logistic element, and other support elements such as Manpads, Drones, Commando recon platoon, etc. It can be reinforced by additional elements such as an ATGM platoon, a CIMIC or a Gendarmerie element depending of the context it is used in.
SGTIAs and GTIAs can also have different types of equipment, for example a cavalry focuses SGTIA can be equipped with Leclerc or AMX10RCR tanks, while an infantry focused SGTIA can be equipped with VCBI, VAB or BvS10 transports. It can also have a mix of those, for example, 1 Leclerc platoon, 1 AMX 10 platoon, 1 VBCI platoon and 3 VAB platoons.
Combined arms elements at the platoon level can also be assembled in the form of a DIA (Détachement inter-armes), often used as a liaison and support unit to mentor allied elements of a lesser military capabilities.
Several GTIAs will make a Combined Arms Brigade with dedicated support GTIAs (artillery, long range recon) and reinforcements. Each Divsion of the French army is supposed to be able to generate one Combined Arms brigade for an high intensity engagement within a coalition such as Ukraine.
This decentralisation is permitted by the digitalisation of the battlespace that occured in the French army since the 2000s, that basically allows blue on blue tracking and brings a comprehensive C2 and transmission system.
This battlegrouping strategy allows the French army to deploy tailor made units to suit the needs of the mission and to dipose of autonomous units up to the platoon level if needed. Furthermore, it simplify training and maintenance when not deployed as it allows pools of specialty. It also allow to have true specialist that have mastered their craft.However, the downside of such a modular system is that soldiers of the different units pulled together don't know themselves very much, they might not know how the other arms work, similarly, there is not a strong esprit de corps because those are ad-hoc units. This issue is adressed with the Brigade system, units are pulled from the same Brigade and will train themselves at SGTIA and GTIA level regularly. Similarly, if the deployment is planned ahead, the units that will be deployed together will prepare their projection together. This system allows those disparate task force to work well together and give the military leader a great adaptability and responsiveness.
However, it is not the only reason. French army thanks to its colonial history and the wars it fought the last 60 years has acquirred tradition of combined arms at the lower echellon and an emphasis on mission command and lower echellon initiative, thats is since the proffesionalisation shared among all the army. The capability of all the arms and corps to work together on the fly comes from this history and allows the battlegrouping system. However, if such a system is often used to spread a small amount of forces on great distances to suit counter-insurrection needs in remote place, in the event of a conventionnal war such as depicted in the game, the battlegroups would operate much more closely, with more support, and sometimes with a more direct command. This is planned in the doctrine.
So, how does this system translates into the game ? Well the SGTIA is the perfect echellon for the scale of the game, and this plug and play approach fits what players effectively do in game editor. When creating their battlegroup, players should be able to choose among the typical battlegroups depictable in the game : SGTIA Infantry, Cavalry and mixed, but should also have at their disposal the main organic companies to pick the individual platoons they need to reinforce their core.
I've joint a powerpoint that presents different examples of what a SGTIA, GTIA, BIA and DIA looks like.
I really hope French army will be depicted in CM:BS to try those organisations and interesting kits. It's very rare to be able to play France in a video game. I hope other nations will be added too of course, such as UK, Great Britain and Poland. And maybe also smaller armies such as Canada and Netherlands
GTIA.pptx

Are you refering to this video ?
If yes, it was French SF and Peshmerga firing a Milan at a VBIED that missed, so they fired a Javelin that destroyed it.

It'd be a good idea for a number of reasons. Unsure of how many bad reasons there are.

@FoxZz keep fighting the fight mon brave - I'd love to see the French in modern titles.