Special Operations Command (France)

The Special Operations Command (French: Commandement des opérations spéciales; COS ) is the organisation which coordinates the use of the French special forces of all military branches (Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force). Similar to USSOCOM or UKSF, COS was created on 24 June 1992, following the Gulf War. Its role is to direct and coordinate missions for special forces units; these are permanently under its direct command and immediately available for action. The command is led by a brigadier general or rear admiral, a NATO OF-6 post.

Special Operations Command
Commandement des opérations spéciales (COS)
Founded24 June 1992
Country France
TypeSpecial operations
RoleProvide fully capable special operations forces to defend France and its interests and plan and synchronize operations against terrorist networks
Size3,746 authorized personnel
  • 307 general staff
  • 3,439 operatives
Part ofMinistry of Armed Forces
HeadquartersBalard, Paris, France
Nickname(s)COS
Commanders
Current
commander		Major General Éric Vidaud

Organisation

Army
  • Army Special Forces Command
    • 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (1er RPIMa)
      • Command and Logistics Company
      • 1 SAS Company - HAHO/HALO paratroopers and divers
      • 2 SAS Company - Extreme environments
      • 3 SAS Company - Vehicle borne operations
      • 4 SAS Company - Urban warfare
      • Training company
    • 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment (13e RDP)
      • ECP Squadron - Command and logistics
      • 1e Squadron - Training and evaluation unit nicknamed "Intelligence Academy"
      • 2e Squadron - Combat divers
      • 3e Squadron - Extreme environments
      • 4e Squadron - Vehicle borne operations
      • 5e Squadron - HAHO/HALO paratroopers
      • 6e Squadron - Signals
      • 7e Squadron - Intelligence
    • 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment (4e RHFS)
      • Squadron 1 - equipped with 10 Cougar and 2 Puma helicopters
      • Squadron 2 - equipped with 12 Gazelle helicopters
      • Squadron 3 - equipped with 10 Caracal helicopters
      • Squadron 4 - equipped with 5 Puma helicopters
      • Squadron 5 - equipped with 2 Puma helicopters
      • Squadron 6 - equipped with 6 Tigre helicopters
    • Special Operations Support Group
    • Special Forces Academy

Air and Space Force

Other special operations forces under the command of DGSE's Action Division

The COS is not in charge of all special military units within the French Armed Forces. Action Division of France's Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE) is responsible for planning and performing clandestine and covert operations including black operations. The core specialisations of the Action Division are sabotage, destruction of materiel, assassination, detaining/kidnapping, and infiltration/exfiltration of persons into/from hostile territory.

DGSE operatives are based in three so-called "training centres", officially not combat units then, which compose the Centre d'Instruction des Réservistes Parachutistes (CIRP, "Paratrooper Reservist Instruction Centre"):

  • Paratrooper Specialised Training Centre (CPES) - in Cercottes for clandestine operations
  • Paratrooper Specialised Instruction Centre (CPIS) - in Perpignan for special commandos. The CPIS is the successor of the Training Centre for Special Warfare (CEGS)
  • Paratrooper Training Centre for Maritime Operations (CPEOM) - in Quelern, which instructs combat divers. The CPEOM is the successor of the Centre d'Instruction des Nageurs de Combat d'Aspretto.

See also
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