France ends Orion 26, its largest exercise since the Cold War
newsMay 3, 2026111
France concluded Orion 26, its largest military exercise since the Cold War, and President Emmanuel Macron called the maneuvers "a clear signal" to adversaries. The government opened a new voluntary national service the same week, and recruitment centers were swamped on day one as demand outstripped capacity. Combined, the exercise and the enlistment surge mark a concerted push to bolster France's military readiness and public engagement with defense policy.
