France has officially commenced the 2025 edition of its naval exercise, Polaris 25, on Monday, May 1, 2025. The exercise will continue until June 15, 2025, with locations primarily in the Atlantic Ocean.

Polaris 25 will involve a deployment of over 3,000 personnel, including both French and foreign troops, more than 20 naval surface combatants, and over 40 aircraft. The exercise will showcase a task force consisting of five amphibious helicopter carriers and their escorts engaged in naval combat against a peer adversary.

The first phase of the exercise, which will last until May 26, will exclusively engage French units. This segment will focus on defending naval bases against hybrid attacks that may include drone and commando actions. Initial targets have been identified as the naval ports of Brest and Cherbourg.

The second phase will see the formation of an international task force in the western Atlantic. This will include amphibious vessels from France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy, accompanied by a French Army battalion and troops from participating countries, including Brazil. The blue force plans an amphibious operation on the Devon coast, set to occur between June 1 and 6.

The final stage of the exercise, commencing June 11, will involve additional amphibious operations along the Atlantic coasts. New training elements will focus on amphibious operations and the protection of naval bases against hybrid threats.

The navy emphasized that Polaris 25 aims to bolster combat capabilities and offer innovative responses to technological disruptions and human challenges. The exercise will incorporate a “multi-environment, multi-domain” approach that integrates space, cyber, and informational assets.

A notice to airmen issued by France’s civilian aviation authority indicates a traffic exclusion zone over the Bay of Biscay, suggesting potential landing operations along the shoreline stretching from the Gironde estuary to Bayonne near the Spanish border.

Details regarding the exact scenarios remain classified to maintain operational security, yet the exercise signifies an important step in strengthening European and NATO collaboration for regional security.