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France to Modernize Infantry with Advanced Electronic Warfare to Counter Enemy Jamming.
During the 2024 edition of the "Présentation de l’armée de Terre" (PRAT), the French Army introduced the ISIS project, an initiative aimed at equipping infantry regiments with electronic warfare capabilities. This project, which responds to evolving operational needs observed in recent conflicts such as in Ukraine, marks an important step in expanding these capabilities beyond specialized units.
Until now, electronic warfare has been primarily handled by specialized units such as the 44th and 54th Signal Regiments and the 785th Electronic Warfare Company. These units, now grouped under the Intelligence and Cyber-Electronics Brigade (BRCE), operate under the Command of Deep Actions and Intelligence (CAPR). They use advanced systems like LINX (Localization and Interception of Exotic Emissions), CATIZ (Ground Capability for Zone Interception), and VOBULE (Vehicle for Wideband Jamming Operations).
LINX is designed to locate and intercept radio signals emitted by enemy devices, such as command posts or communication systems. On the battlefield, this system is used to identify and locate enemy radio transmissions, enabling the neutralization of a communication network or precise targeting of key infrastructure. For example, during an offensive, LINX can detect an enemy command post from several kilometers away, allowing for accurate strikes or coordinated actions.
The ISIS project aims to extend these capabilities to infantry units, which face modern threats such as drones, remotely operated munitions, and electronic interference. It seeks to provide simplified tools for detecting, locating, and analyzing radio signals, thereby improving real-time tactical situational awareness.
CATIZ is used to monitor a defined area and intercept all radio emissions within it. On the battlefield, this system can help secure an area before an operation by intercepting signals from enemy drones or identifying jamming devices. During reconnaissance missions, CATIZ can help detect enemy activities that are invisible to the naked eye, such as hidden sensor networks or emitters used to coordinate attacks.
VOBULE is a vehicle dedicated to jamming radio frequencies over a wide range. On the battlefield, it is used to prevent the enemy from communicating effectively or controlling drones. For example, during an attack on a fortified position, VOBULE can neutralize the enemy’s radio communications, causing disruption and facilitating the advance of allied forces.
For reference, ISIS is presented as a system capable of continuously analyzing the radio spectrum to identify used frequency bands, locate emission sources, and characterize intercepted signals. This system provides non-specialized units with the means to monitor the electromagnetic environment and represent tactical information in real-time.
According to the Technical Section of the French Army (STAT), the system will enhance communication resilience in complex or degraded environments, contributing to better control of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is essential for modern operations.
The development of ISIS is being carried out in collaboration with TRAAK, a company specializing in geolocation and biometric tracking solutions, and GeePs (Electrical and Electronic Engineering Laboratory of Paris). This collaboration between industry and academic research aims to design a performance-driven solution that meets the operational needs of the French Army.
Special attention is given to the system's ergonomics to ensure it can be used by non-specialized soldiers and integrated into infantry regiments.
The ISIS project will enable infantry regiments to strengthen their electronic warfare operational capabilities and better respond to current electronic threats. This initiative is part of a broader effort to equip front-line units with tools adapted to modern conflicts.
Still in development, ISIS represents a technological advance that could play a key role in future operations for the French Army, ensuring a strategic advantage in increasingly contested environments.