In the Townsville Field Training Area, Australian and French soldiers marked a military partnership milestone as they worked side by side during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the first time Mainland French Armed Forces participated in the exercise.
French Marine Corps 21st Regiment Company Commander Captain Antoine Lefeuve said Talisman Sabre was his soldiers' first exposure to Australia, and he would sum up the exercise in three-words: "integration, welcoming and duty".
"This is the first time we've come to Australia for Talisman Sabre; we had a lot of tasks to complete and it was a really great exercise because of how gigantic it is and the way it was conducted," Captain Lefeuve said.
Soldiers, officers and cavalry troops from France's 3rd Division embedded within the 3rd Brigade across multiple headquarters and battlegroup nodes.
"We were really welcomed by the Australians and it was very interesting to be totally integrated within the Australian battalion and operating under the Australian command," Captain Lefeuve said.
While no match for the fresh baguettes of home, the French and Aussie soldiers broke ration-pack bread together as they executed planning, reconnaissance and Battle Group attacks.
'Our collaboration and our integration with the French Army at the tactical level is a force multiplier - we are better together.'
Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan, said Talisman Sabre enabled the brigade to practise, refine and affirm how it fought with allies and partners by integrating at every level.
"The integration achieved between 3rd Brigade and the French Army across people, process and platform has been ground-breaking," Brigadier McLennan said.
He explained the significance of this milestone in achieving strategic, operational and tactical advantages.
"We know in the Australian Army that we never operate nor fight alone, we operate and fight with our allies and partners," Brigadier McLennan said.
"Our collaboration and our integration with the French Army at the tactical level is a force multiplier - we are better together."
Looking back on his posting as the Australian Army's Liaison Officer to the French Army In 2019, Brigadier McLennan recalled a conversation with the French Chief of Army that has proven to be a prediction.
"His vision was for multiple French Army force elements, from New Caledonia and mainland France, with French equipment and vehicles, to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre under command of an Australian brigade," he said.
"Voila! Six years later, thanks to the efforts and commitment of many, we have achieved this vision, and more than that, we have exceeded his vision."
Committed to further advancing the partnership, Brigadier McLennan said he hoped to see more opportunities to work together in a range of environments and activities to develop culturally, linguistically and tactically.
"We aim to increase the scope and scale of integration between Australia and France during future Warfighting exercises and Exercise Talisman Sabres, or to participate in exercises in mainland France," he said.
'The integration achieved between 3rd Brigade and the French Army across people, process and platform has been ground-breaking.'
Taking on the challenge of a new environment, Captain Lefeuve said their first hit-out was a success and said he would like to bring more soldiers, weaponry and vehicles over to Talisman Sabre in the future.
"It's a good start; we succeeded in communicating and we succeeded in having an effect on the terrain, the mission and the objective," he said.
"It was challenging, but it's been good to discover a new environment and new methods."
After working hard in the North Queensland outback, French soldiers were afforded a short period to enjoy and experience Townsville, visiting Billabong sanctuary and Magnetic Island.
"They love the experience here, the training was really interesting for them and the life after the exercise as well - they really appreciated the opportunity to enjoy Townsville," Captain Lefeuve said.
Always proud to showcase the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier McLennan said it was a privilege to share Australia's 'world's-best' Defence training areas and the Garrison City of Townsville with international partners.
"It's a neat way to complete exercises like Talisman Sabre by enabling our partners and allies to experience this lucky country and the best parts of our unique and hospitable North Queensland culture," he said.
