A plea for a French Army DLC

[FoxZz]

On 4/27/2019 at 11:53 PM, ikalugin said:

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.

Thank you very much I'll look into this for the rest of the presentation posts I plan to do !

[FoxZz]

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:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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.

Edited June 24, 2019 by FoxZz

[Vergeltungswaffe]

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

[Sgt.Squarehead]

On ‎6‎/‎24‎/‎2019 at 8:41 PM, FoxZz said:

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].

While I like the rest of your concept a lot, I'm not convinced about this bit, the Black Sea is Russia's pond.....Their anti-ship missiles are very, very good and they have plenty of them. 

[FoxZz]

6 hours ago, Sgt.Squarehead said:

While I like the rest of your concept a lot, I'm not convinced about this bit, the Black Sea is Russia's pond.....Their anti-ship missiles are very, very good and they have plenty of them. 

I agree, but the CMBS manual states in the game scenario that an amphibious force is sent to the Black sea to defend Odessa.

I agree it's not very realistic but the Marines need their landing ! So I just added a French battalion in it haha.Page 6 of the manual, I quote "while the NATO fleet in the Black Sea lands Marines at Odessa to protect the city from capture as Russian forces move out of Crimea."

A more realistic option would be for them to come from Roumania along the coastal road.

[Nital6397]

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 !"

[Nital6397]

Oh and BTW I didn't read your proposed scenario in all details but if it were to be placed a bit later in the future (so as to include nice toys such as the Jaguar or the Griffon) then it could also include the Leclerc MBT overhaul (rénovation) to give it some additional punch

 

[snake_eye]

@FoxZz If your plea could become true, it would be fantastic. However, I do not think that it is in the pipe for the time being. Too bad. I really think that what the French Army and Air Force are demonstrating in Mali and the support they give in Syria should be a very good opportunity for BF to reconsider its actual position. Their reason has surely something to do with the cost of creating all these new vehicles and tracks,  but they have done it for NATO,  released with Germans and Dutch forces. Why the French forces were omitted at the time ? Maybe they did not consider it would have a sufficient selling factor covering its cost ?

Edited August 26, 2019 by snake_eye

[FoxZz]

On 8/26/2019 at 6:10 PM, snake_eye said:

@FoxZz If your plea could become true, it would be fantastic. However, I do not think that it is in the pipe for the time being. Too bad. I really think that what the French Army and Air Force are demonstrating in Mali and the support they give in Syria should be a very good opportunity for BF to reconsider its actual position. Their reason has surely something to do with the cost of creating all these new vehicles and tracks,  but they have done it for NATO,  released with Germans and Dutch forces. Why the French forces were omitted at the time ? Maybe they did not consider it would have a sufficient selling factor covering its cost ?

When Shock Force was made in 2007, it was only 4 years after France threaten to veto US intervention in Iraq and later refused to join, and before France increased its effort in Afghanistan in 2008. So I guess we were still in the freedom fries days and the "chease-eating surrender moneky" vibe, not a selling point indeed.

Since then, there was Afghanistan, Lybia, Mali, CAR, Syria and Iraq 2, France increased its military expenditures, so French armed forces and equipments are well regarded again. What is in the pipe at the moment I don't know, I've heard of a Russian VDV and US Marines pack, and if things follow Shock Force path, we should get at some point a NATO DLC where I hope France will be included :).

[snake_eye]

9 hours ago, FoxZz said:

When Shock Force was made in 2007, it was only 4 years after France threaten to veto US intervention in Iraq and later refused to join, and before France increased its effort in Afghanistan in 2008. So I guess we were still in the freedom fries days and the "chease-eating surrender moneky" vibe, not a selling point indeed.

Since then, there was Afghanistan, Lybia, Mali, CAR, Syria and Iraq 2, France increased its military expenditures, so French armed forces and equipments are well regarded again. What is in the pipe at the moment I don't know, I've heard of a Russian VDV and US Marines pack, and if things follow Shock Force path, we should get at some point a NATO DLC where I hope France will be included :).

Good guess for the  reasons making at the time, the French a non selling factor. For the Russian airborne troops -VDV and the US  Marines pack, You have heard more than I have, not to say nothing. A new NATO if it comes to be done would be a very interesting release, but it should take in account quite a few new comers. That might raise the cost of the game to a high stake and therefore put an end to the idea.

[Nital6397]

So to summarize we're talking about 1st a DLC about Marines / VDV and then potentially another one with potential French content?

That would mean what? another 4 / 6 years wait before that 2nd DLC ?

Well I understand our friends at BFC aim at releasing smaller packages more often so I'll stick to this as a hope it will be quicker

 

[FoxZz]

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 !

 

 

 

Edited January 31, 2020 by FoxZz