As a French territory in South America, French Guiana occupies a strategically important position for both France and Europe. It is a pillar of European space sovereignty, a unique environmental shield and an essential military and diplomatic anchor in a region facing multiple challenges.
From protecting the Guiana Space Centre to combating illegal gold mining, not to mention security cooperation with neighbouring states, French Guiana is at the heart of a number of crucial issues: technological sovereignty, resource conservation, regional stability and international influence.
All these reasons make this overseas territory a key strategic asset for France and the European Union, and therefore worthy of consideration by the attendees of our national session.
AT THE TRAINING CENTRE IN THE EQUATORIAL FOREST WITH THE LEGIONNAIRES OF THE 3rdE REI
In the heart of the equatorial forest, our listeners discovered the prestigious Equatorial Forest Training Centre (CEFE), an internationally recognised centre of excellence. They spent 24 hours living alongside the legionnaires of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, sharing their daily lives and exploring the training conditions that have made this regiment so renowned.
But what is the CEFE and what are its missions? Located in the heart of the Guiana rainforest, the Rainforest Training Centre is one of France's most unique strategic assets. Created in 1987 and attached to the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, this military centre, unique in the world, trains French and foreign soldiers every year in combat and survival in the jungle, in an environment of rare difficulty: orientation, crossing, camouflage, survival techniques, etc. This valuable expertise is practised at Camp Szuts, which covers 150 hectares and is surrounded by nearly 900 hectares of dense forest.
But while the CEFE trains the fighters, it is the Armed Forces in French Guiana (FAG) that deploy them in the field. Bringing together the 3rd REI, units from the French Navy, the Air and Space Force and the Gendarmerie, the FAG ensures the protection of this strategic territory: combating illegal gold mining with Operation Harpie, protecting the forest from armed networks and mercury pollution, and securing the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) via Operation Titan, which is essential during sensitive launch phases. Every day, 300 military personnel are mobilised to combat illegal gold mining, while up to 400 can be deployed to ensure the security of the CSG.
A DYNAMIC EXERCISE FOR AUDIENCE MEMBERS
The visit on the 9the Marine Infantry Regiment (9th)e RIMa) in Saintoupan was another highlight of the programme, thanks in particular to the dynamic demonstration given by CRAJ, the Jungle Search and Action Commando. Specialists in combat in equatorial environments, these elite soldiers presented an immersive exercise simulating an operation to neutralise illegal gold miners, a major security issue in French Guiana.
In an environment replicating the real conditions of the Amazon rainforest, with dense vegetation, rough terrain and reduced visibility, the commando unit demonstrated its methods of operation: silent progression, reconnaissance, tactical encirclement of an illegal camp, arrest, securing of the area and extraction of equipment. This demonstration provided an opportunity to assess the level of expertise, endurance and precision required to combat illegal gold mining and drug trafficking, criminal activities that fuel structured networks, cause massive deforestation and lead to severe mercury pollution. The CRAJ is also called upon to intervene in search and rescue operations for people missing in the jungle.
This enabled the audience to visualise in concrete terms the crucial role played by the armed forces in protecting the territory, the environment and national sovereignty.
AUDITORS DISCOVERED THE GUYANA SPACE CENTRE IN KOUROU
After their immersion in the jungle, the auditors visited the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), which occupies a unique strategic position: it is Europe's only spaceport, essential to the technological sovereignty of France and the European Union. The official launch base for ESA and EUSPA, managed jointly with CNES and Arianespace, the CSG prepares, launches and controls Ariane and Vega rockets, enabling Europe to maintain autonomous, reliable and permanent access to space.
Located just 5° north of the equator, the site takes full advantage of the Earth's rotation. As a result, rockets consume less fuel and can carry heavier payloads: a strategic advantage. Open to the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a wide variety of possible trajectories: eastward for geostationary orbits and northward for polar or sun-synchronous orbits. Finally, the territory offers ideal conditions in terms of safety and reliability: a sparsely populated area, reducing risks on the ground, a relatively stable climate favourable to launch operations, and a vast natural environment that guarantees large sea fallout zones.
Beyond its technical dimension, the CSG is a strategic pillar. It supports major European programmes such as Galileo and Copernicus, hosts international scientific missions and plays a central role in global space cooperation. Increasingly open to New Space, it supports the arrival of new commercial and technological players, strengthening European competitiveness in a rapidly changing space sector. French Guiana is thus establishing itself as an indispensable territory for the space future of France and Europe.
