They have taken part in several test events organised by Paris 2024, which have enabled them to consolidate their security arrangements on the ground, at sea and in the air. The armed forces also provided security for the Rugby World Cup in September 2023, an important milestone in their ramp-up. They also organised their own preparatory exercises to test their operational know-how and chains of command.

On the ground

In the summer of 2024, the armed forces will provide specific capabilities and unique expertise to the extensive land-based resources of the internal security forces. Between August and October 2023, the soldiers of Operation Sentinelle took part in six different test events, enabling them to familiarise themselves with hitherto unfamiliar competition venues, such as Vaires-sur-Marne, which will host aquatic events (rowing, canoeing kayaking, etc.).

In November 2023, the Joint Staff for the National Territory organised Exercise COUBERTIN 23 to test the coordination of the various armed forces' security systems in an interdepartmental environment. During two weeks, three hundred participants from the three services were immersed in realistic scenarios to develop interoperability between the players involved in securing the country. The exercise also provided an opportunity to test the responsiveness of the chain of command.

In the air

The French Air and Space Force will be responsible for securing the airspace around Paris and the other regional Olympic venues. It has recognised expertise in setting up "protective bubbles" to protect sensitive events, as was the case during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. These Permanent Airborne Security Systems also include low-level surveillance to counter the threat of mini-drones.

In January 2023, the French Air and Space Force tested its anti-drone system during interdepartmental Exercise COUBERTIN. This sequence enabled the coordination of heavy BASSALT and RADIANT systems to be improved, supplemented by jammer gun operators, in a scenario involving the neutralisation of malicious drones. From Villacoublay Air Base 107 in particular, all the interdepartmental stakeholders were mobilised to test the anti-drone system command and control chain, the information and communication systems architectures and the implementation of detection and jamming systems.

At sea

Finally, the French Navy has also trained in securing maritime approaches for major events. In July 2023, during the preparatory sailing races in Marseille, it tested its entire permanent maritime security system in conditions as close as possible to the real thing.

As part of this interdepartmental operation, the high sea capabilities of the French Navy's ships and aircraft provided a first layer of protection offshore, enabling anticipation. On the coastal fringes, the maritime Gendarmerie and teams of Navy commandos provided close protection of the race zone alongside other government agencies. Finally, the Navy deployed the specialised resources needed to protect the water, such as an anti-pollution unit and a group of mine-clearing divers.

All the sequences that punctuated 2023 contributed to perfecting the know-how of the forces soon to be deployed, under very realistic conditions. The coordination of resources, the consolidation of procedures and the deepening of interoperability between the stakeholders in the system were at the heart of these training sessions and will continue to punctuate the operational training of the armed forces until the launch of the events on 26^th July 2024.