Operation Orion 26 has kicked off with over 12,000 military personnel from NATO member countries, including Spain, converging in France to conduct large-scale military exercises. This operation is the largest deployment of NATO forces on French soil and aims to simulate responses to a fictional external attack, highlighting the alliance's readiness to counter potential threats. In addition to the ground troops, the exercise includes 140 combat aircraft, around 1,200 drones, and 2,150 tactical ground vehicles, supported by the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle stationed off the Atlantic coast.

This initiative is not new; it builds on previous exercises, notably Orion 23, which was launched in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Operation Orion 26, however, promises to be substantially larger and will unfold in two phases over the next three months. The first phase runs from February 8 to March 1, while the second is scheduled for April 7 to April 30. The operational command is based in Paris, from where air and amphibious maneuvers along the southern coast of Brittany will be coordinated along with the deployment of ground forces in the region.

The implications of such large-scale military exercises extend beyond mere simulation; they serve as a show of strength and unity among NATO allies amid ongoing global tensions, especially concerning Russia's aggressive posturing. This reflects NATO's commitment to collective defense and preparedness against potential aggressors, reassuring member countries of the alliance's solidarity and operational capability in times of crisis.