In September 2024, the French Army reactivated the engineering brigade (BGEN) during a ceremony at Les Invalides, in the presence of high civil and military authorities. His command was entrusted to General Christophe Bizien. Far from being a simple restoration, it is a key stage in the profound restructuring of land forces.
This reactivation marks the return of a key unit dissolved in 2010 in a context of budgetary rationalization. The rebirth of the BGEN is a strong signal: an army that invests in its engineering is preparing for a field war, where mastery of the engagement environment and neutralization of threats are decisive.
Filling a strategic void
Created in 1993, the engineering brigade was intended to centralize rare and strategic capabilities: obstacle crossing, neutralization of NRBC (nuclear, radiological, biological, chemical) threats, mine clearance and advanced mapping. These missions, essential to the mobility and security of the armed forces, met the needs of combined arms brigades in complex environments. Inspired by British and German models, the BGEN combined varied technical expertise, ranging from dog units to cartography, while providing a responsive coordination structure.
Maine exercises
However, the dissolution of this brigade in 2010, as part of the General Review of Public Policies (RGPP), fragmented these capacities. The absence of a centralized structure has reduced the effectiveness of land forces, particularly in critical areas such as crossings. The fragmentation of units has also affected the speed of intervention in tactical contexts where every minute counts, such as in Afghanistan or the Sahel. The vulnerability of the rear areas, often neglected, has also increased, exposing strategic weaknesses that the BGEN could have filled. It is on this feedback and on the prospective study of tomorrow’s conflicts that the reactivation of the BGEN is based.
Centralize to serve better
On September 11, 2024, the official reactivation of the BGEN marked a strategic turning point for the Army. This brigade, now based in Angers in the Berthezène district, brings together regiments specialized in complementary missions. This new organization reflects a desire to centralize rare capabilities to respond to modern threats.
The BGEN includes emblematic units: the 2e dragoon regiment, NRBC defense expert, capable of neutralizing chemical, biological and radiological threats; the 19the engineering regiment, pillar of crossing capabilities and heavy infrastructure; the 28the geographic group, guarantor of topographical intelligence and advanced cartography; the 31ste engineering regiment, specialized in direct support and mobility of forces; and the 132e dog infantry regiment.
Dog teams
These regiments allow the BGEN to cover the entire spectrum of military operations, whether securing rear areas, direct combat support or preparing terrain for strategic maneuvers. Integrated into the Theater Support and Logistics Command (CALT), the BGEN works closely with the maintenance brigade and the logistics brigade to guarantee optimal operational continuity.
Mastering the engagement environment
The reactivation of the BGEN is based on a central ambition: to guarantee control of the field in all phases of operations. In modern conflicts, the mobility of forces, the security of infrastructures and the neutralization of opposing threats are crucial issues. As the Ministry of the Armed Forces says, “ cThis specialized unit proves essential for mastering the engagement environment in the field of high-intensity combat as well as in crisis management, relying in particular on capabilities in geography, NRBC defense, counter-mobility, dog combat , crossing, heavy deployment support and deployment assistance. Now combined, these capabilities will be able to better combine their effects. »
In regions crossed by waterways, such as in Eastern Europe, motorized floating bridges (PFM), capable of supporting heavy vehicles such as Leclerc tanks, make it possible to quickly overcome natural obstacles. This equipment, combined with forward crossing vehicles (EFA), ensures continuous progression of the forces on the front line. At the same time, mine clearance and counter-mobility capabilities make it possible to slow down opposing forces while protecting allied forces.
Securing rear areas, often wrongly perceived as secondary, is another area of engineering excellence. The lessons of history, notably the defeat at Sedan in 1870, show that poorly protected rear areas can compromise an entire campaign. By guaranteeing logistical and strategic continuity, the BGEN plays a key role in force preservation.
Finally, the capabilities of the 28e geographic group strengthen strategic planning. By providing precise topographical data and anticipating natural or artificial obstacles, engineering directly contributes to optimizing military maneuvers. This combination of tactical and strategic expertise makes the BGEN an essential weapon in modern conflicts.
Modernize engineering
The reactivation of BGEN is accompanied by massive investment in cutting-edge technologies. Drones, used for reconnaissance and mine clearance, reduce risks for sappers while increasing the effectiveness of interventions. These tools provide real-time mapping and remote intervention capability, vital in high-risk environments.
The arrival of the Combat Engineering Vehicle (EGC), planned for 2029, symbolizes this modernization. Successor to the EBG Vulcain, the EGC will combine digging, destruction and crossing capabilities, while offering enhanced protection for its crews thanks to remotely operated systems. Designed to meet the requirements of high-intensity conflicts, this machine is the illustration of military engineering in tune with the technological challenges of the 21st century.e century.
Furthermore, the continuing training of sappers is a central priority. By combining individual training, collective exercises and mastery of new technologies, the BGEN prepares its members to operate in varied environments, whether urban, mountainous or plains crossed by natural obstacles.
Complete the reform
Despite its progress, the reactivation of the BGEN remains incomplete. Certain critical capabilities, such as the crossing ensured by the 6e engineering regiment, are still not integrated into the brigade, limiting a centralization that is nevertheless claimed to be essential. Furthermore, budgetary constraints and costs linked to equipment modernization represent significant obstacles in a context where military resources are already under strain.
However, these challenges do not undermine the ambition of this reactivated brigade. With its motto, “They will march in the lead”, the BGEN embodies a French army which combines tradition and innovation to meet the needs of modern conflicts. By placing control of the terrain at the center of its strategy, the Army reaffirms that engineering is not just support, but a decisive weapon. The reactivation of the BGEN, anchored in a strategic and technological vision, represents a key step in the transformation of French land forces, ready to meet the challenges of a changing world. If you want peace, prepare for war.
