2e REP: Exercise Libecciu 2026 | French Foreign Legion Information

From May 11 to 20, 2026, Exercise Libecciu 2026 took place across several regions of western and central France, primarily in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Centre-Val de Loire. The exrcise was conducted by the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), an elite airborne regiment of the Foreign Legion. Based at Calvi, Corsica, it serves as one of the French Army’s rapid-response units.

More than 700 legionnaires of the 2e REP and supporting personnel (including a detachment of the 2e REI) participated in the large-scale maneuver, which focused on rapid deployment, airborne insertion, urban combat, reconnaissance, river infiltration, and coordination with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The exercise was designed to test the regiment’s ability to deploy on short notice and operate in a realistic civilian environment.

The training also emphasized interoperability between different branches and the use of modernized French Army equipment under the SCORPION modernization program, including SERVAL armored vehicles and other support platforms. During the exercise, troops conducted night parachute drops, aerial resupply missions, armored vehicle movements, reconnaissance and sniper operations, as well as drone and helicopter-supported activities.

Several phases of Libecciu 2026 took place near civilian communities, including the areas around La Souterraine, Saint-Savin, Châtellerault, Nouâtre, and L’Île-Bouchard. The final stage culminated at Camp du Ruchard, a French Army training area in west-central France, where participating forces carried out a simulated final assault.

During the exercise, some equipment presentations were open to the public, particularly in La Souterraine and Lussac-les-Églises.

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