Established in 1973 and becoming operational in 1974, the GIGN was initially created as a relatively small tactical unit specialized in sensitive hostage situations, but has since grown into a larger force with expanded responsibilities and capabilities.[5][6] It is now composed of nearly 1,000 operators: around 400 operators based in Satory, near Versailles in the Paris area and approximately 600 operators in fourteen regional GIGN branches called AGIGNs (Antennes du GIGN), located in metropolitan France or in the French overseas territories.[2] The unit shares jurisdiction of French sovereign territory with the special response units of the National Police,[note 2] and its training centre is located in Beynes.[7]
Although most of its operations take place in France, the GIGN (as a component of the French Armed Forces) can operate anywhere in the world. Many of its missions are secret, and GIGN operators are not allowed to be publicly photographed. Since its formation, the GIGN has been involved in over 1,800 missions and has also rescued more than 600 hostages, making it one of the most experienced counter-terrorism units in the world.[1]
GIGN was formed in Maisons-Alfort, near Paris, in 1973, shortly after the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics and other less-known incidents in France resulted in a need for dedicated counterterrorist units in Europe. Initially named ECRI (Équipe commando régionale d’intervention or Regional Commando Intervention Team), it became operational in March 1974, under the command of then-lieutenant Christian Prouteau, and executed its first mission ten days later. Another unit, named GIGN, was created simultaneously within the Mobile Gendarmerie parachute squadron in Mont-de-Marsan in southwest France, but the two units were merged under Prouteau's command in 1976, and adopted the GIGN designation.[9] GIGNs initial complement was 15, later increased to 32 in 1976, 78 by 1986, and 120 by 2005.[10] GIGN moved to Versailles-Satory in 1982.
In 1984, it became a part of a larger organisation called GSIGN (Groupement de sécurité et d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale), [note 3] together with EPIGN (Escadron parachutiste d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale),[note 4]GSPR (Groupe de sécurité de la présidence de la République), the Presidential Security group and GISA (Groupe d'instruction et de sécurité des activités), a specialized training center.
On 1 September 2007, a major reorganization took place. GSIGN was disbanded and replaced by a new unit also named GIGN. The former GSIGN components (the original GIGN, EPIGN, GSPR and GISA) became "forces" of the new GIGN which now reached a total complement of 380 operators.[note 5]
The change from GSIGN to the new GIGN, an organization reporting directly to the Director-general of the Gendarmerie, was not a simple name swap. It was done in order to reinforce command and control functions; provide better integration through common selection, common training and stronger support; and improve the unit's capability to handle complex situations such as mass hostage-takings similar to the Beslan school siege.[1]·[11]
In 2009, the Gendarmerie, while remaining part of the French Armed Forces, was attached to the Ministry of the Interior, which already supervised the National Police. The respective areas of responsibility of each force did not change however, as the Police already had primary responsibility for major cities and large urban areas, while the Gendarmerie was in charge of smaller towns and rural areas (in addition to its specific military missions). Under the new command structure, GIGN gendarmes can still be engaged in operations outside of France due to their military status.
On 1 August 2021, the 14 regional GIGN branches were fully integrated in the group's organization as part of a new Force Antennes. Prior to this reorganization, these regional branches, established in 2004, had been administratively attached to the seven domestic "Zonal Gendarmerie Regions" for seven of them and to the Overseas Gendarmerie Command (French: Commandement de la Gendarmerie outre-mer) for the remaining seven but they were independent units that only came under GIGN operational control when a crisis occurred. Sometimes referred to as "GIGN 3.0",[note 7] the new organization also emphasizes the group's role in training and in operational support.[12]
A new common insignia was adopted as a result of the 2021 reorganization. Shaped as a shield, it worn on the left sleeve by every GIGN gendarme. A circular badge is worn on the right sleeve: the traditional round GIGN patch for Satory-based operators and a different patch for members of the AGIGNs. The AGIGN patch replaces the parachute with a thunderbolt, as AGIGNs are not parachute units.[13]
GIGN insignias
Main GIGN insignia
GIGN patch for HQ and Satory-based forces
AGIGN patch
Since its creation, the group has taken part in over 1,800 operations, rescued over 600 hostages and arrested over 1500 suspects,[1] losing four members killed in action and ten in training. [note 8] Three of the four fatalities in action were sustained when dealing with armed deranged persons. The fourth one occurred during an operation against illegal gold-mining in French Guiana in March 2023.[14]
Structure
A GIGN Security & Protection Force team extracting via helicopter during a demo in 2021
GIGN is currently organized in four "forces", a "détachement", an Engineering and Support division, a National Training Center for Specialized Intervention[note 9] and a Human Resources bureau, under two headquarters (administrative and operational):[2][12]
Intervention Force (French: Force Intervention (FI) – the original GIGN): Approximately 100 operators, serving as GIGN's main assault unit. It is divided into four sections (platoons), two of which are on alert at all times. These sections are further divided into individual teams of operators. Two of the intervention sections specialize in high altitude jumps; the other two specialize in diving.
Observation & Search Force (French: Force Observation/Recherche (FOR)): Approximately 40 operators, specializing in reconnaissance in relation with judiciary police work, and counterterrorism. Formed from the EPIGN.
Security & Protection Force (French: Force Sécurité/Protection (FSP)): Approximately 65 operators, specializing in executive and sensitive site protection. Formed from the EPIGN.
Regional Branches Force (French: Force Antennes (FA)): Headquarters for the fourteen regional GIGN branches.
Gendarmerie Detachment of the GSPR Presidential Security Group (French: Détachement GSPR): Tasked with protecting the President of France. Originally a Gendarmerie unit, GSPR (Groupe de Sécurité de la Présidence de la République) is now jointly operated by the Gendarmerie and the National Police.
Engineering and Support Division (French: Division technique): A support force with cells specializing in long-range sniping, breaching, assault engineering, special devices, and other specializations.
National Training Center for Specialized Intervention (French: Centre national de formation à l'intervention spécialisée): Tasked with selection, training and retraining (called recycling) not only of GIGN operators, but also of selected Gendarmerie or foreign personnel.
Female gendarmes are admitted in all forces, except the Intervention Force.
There are several tactical specialties in the group, including: long-range sniping, breaching, observation and reconnaissance, executive protection, freefall parachuting with HALO/HAHO jumps, diving, etc.
Helicopter support is provided by Gendarmerie helicopters and, for tactical deployment of large groups, by GIH (French: Groupe interarmées d'hélicoptères), a joint Army/Air Force special operations flight equipped with SA330 PUMA helicopters, based in nearby Villacoublay Air Base. GIH was established in 2006, and has also been tasked to support the National Police's RAID unit since 2008.
The fourteen regional GIGN branches,[15] initially known as PI2Gs (French: Pelotons d'intervention interrégionaux de la Gendarmerie) for the domestic units and GPIs (French: Groupes de pelotons d'intervention) for the overseas units, were respectively redesignated as GIGN branches in April and July 2016[16] and fully integrated into GIGN in 2021. As of 2021, the seven metropolitan GIGN branches are located in Caen, Dijon, Nantes, Orange, Reims, Toulouse and Tours, while the seven overseas branches are based in Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, Mayotte, French Polynesia and New Caledonia. The twenty nuclear protection units, called PSPGs (French: Pelotons spécialisés de protection de la Gendarmerie), located on site at each one of the French nuclear power plants, are not a part of GIGN, but operate under its operational control.
Coordination between GIGN and RAID, the National Police's tactical unit, is handled by a joint organization called Ucofi (Unité de coordination des forces d’intervention or Intervention Forces Coordination Unit). A "leader/follower" protocol has been established for use when both units need to be engaged jointly, [note 10] leadership belonging to the unit operating in its primary areas of responsibility.[17]
Operations
Boarding of the Pascal Paoli by GIGN, on 28 September 2005. The ship had been occupied by the Corsican trade union STC.
GIGN reports directly to the Director General of the Gendarmerie Nationale (DGGN), i.e., the chief of staff of the Gendarmerie, who in turn reports directly to the Ministry of the Interior. The DGGN or his Deputy for Operations can take charge in a major crisis; however, most of the day-to-day missions are conducted in support of local units of the Departmental Gendarmerie. GIGN is also a member of the European ATLAS Network, an informal association consisting of the special police units of the 27 states of the European Union.
Rescue of 229 passengers and crew from Air France Flight 8969 in Marseille in December 1994. Nine GIGN operators were wounded during the operation, but all four hijackers were killed. The mission was broadcast live by news channels, increasing awareness of GIGN's existence.
Operations in Bosnia to arrest persons indicted for war crimes.
Capture of 6 Somali pirates, and recovery of part of the ransom, after ensuring that Le Ponant luxury yacht hostages were freed off the coast of Puntland, Somalia in the Gulf of Aden, in conjunction with French Commandos Marine in April 2008.
Deployment of tactical teams in Afghanistan in support of French Gendarmerie POMLT (Police Operational Mentoring Liaison Team) detachments from 2009 to 2011.
Neutralization of the two terrorists involved in the Paris Charlie Hebdo shooting on 7 January 2015.
Deployment to the 2015 Bamako hotel attack, although the situation had already been taken care of by local police, with assistance from American and French special forces, by the time the GIGN team arrived.
Neutralization of the terrorist responsible for the Carcassonne and Trèbes attack in March 2018 (a former EPIGN officer, Arnaud Beltrame, voluntarily swapped places with a hostage and was killed trying to disarm the terrorist). This operation was conducted by an AGIGN unit based in Toulouse under GIGN supervision, while operatives sent from Satory were still underway.
Several deployments in Ukraine in 2022 to protect various French or International missions during the Russian invasion.[13]
GIGN was selected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to organise hostage-rescue exercises aboard planes for the special forces of the other member states.
Selection and training
AGIGN sniper during a training exercise in 2015
Candidates undertake a one-week pre-selection screening followed by, for those accepted, a fourteen-month training program.[1] Mental ability and self-control are important, in addition to physical strength. Similar to most special forces, the training is stressful with a high rate of failure, especially in the initial phase; only 7–8% of the volunteers complete the training process. AGIGN candidates undertake a one-week pre-selection screening followed by an eight-week training program.[13]
GIGN training consists of:
Weapon handling
Combat shooting and marksmanship training
Airborne courses, such as HALO or HAHO jumps, paragliding, and heliborne insertions
Survival and warfare in tropical, arctic, mountain and desert environments
Diplomacy and negotiation skills
The GIGN trains alongside other counterterrorist units from NATO countries, including the American FBI HRT, British SAS, Australian SPS, German GSG 9, and Irish GardaERU.
Weapons and equipment
GIGN operators with their weapons and equipment in 2022
GIGN uses a wide range of firearms and equipment, including:
Sherpa Light with an assault ladder installed on its roof
GIGN helicopter carrying a team of operators on ESCAPE, a GIGN-designed device used to carry a team on a platform
Motto and values
Until 2014: Sauver des vies au mépris de la sienne ("To save lives without regard to one's own")
Since 2014: S'engager pour la vie[1] ("A commitment for life"[note 1])
Although GIGN, as part of the French military, has been deployed to external combat zones, it is primarily centered in France, engaging in peacetime operations as a special police force. Respect for human life, combined with fire discipline, has always been taught to group members since its inception. Each new member is traditionally issued a six-shot revolver as a reminder of these values.[1][20]
On 15 June 2015, the unit received the Medal for internal security. As GIGN was awarded the Cross for Military Valour twice, members of the group are officially allowed to wear the fourragère.[23]
In popular culture
GIGN has been featured in dozens of media works, including films, television shows, novels, video games, and strip cartoons, typically working alongside other international counterterrorist units. They have also been the focus of several works, including:
L'Assaut, a 2010 French film about the Air France Flight 8969 hijacking. It was done with the collaboration and the advice of GIGN. There are a few fictional personal stories intertwined with the operation, but otherwise, the film is accurate to reports of the operation.
L'Ordre et la Morale (Rebellion), a 2011 film depicting the controversial 1988 Ouvéa cave hostage taking in New Caledonia, from the perspective of then-GIGN leader Philippe Legorjus. Even though he played a major role in the negotiations, and participated in the first part of the assault, Legorjus' leadership during and after the operation was contested, and he left GIGN a few months later.
L'intervention (15 Minutes of War), a 2019 French-Belgian very loosely based on GIGN's 1976 hostage rescue of school children in Djibouti.[24][25][26]
Gallery
GIGN operators alongside a Sherpa Light armored vehicle - 2022
A GIGN assault team entering a kill house after breaching its door - 2022
^ abS'engager in French can mean to commit (to do something) but also to enlist (in the army)
^Each of the two French National Police forces, the National Police and the National Gendarmerie, has primary responsibility for a part of the territory: large cities and urban areas for the National Police, smaller cities and rural areas for the National Gendarmerie. There are two National Police units specialised in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue: the Paris BRI and RAID. If needed, they can form a joint task force called National Police Intervention Force (French: Force d'intervention de la Police nationale or FIPN). GIGN and FIPN (or its components) can be engaged together – or in the other force's area of responsibility – in an emergency
^In the French Gendarmerie, a groupement (grouping) is typically a battalion- or regiment-size unit but while infantry regiments in the French Army share a common format (ie same number of companies) this is not mandatory for a Gendarmerie groupement
^A French escadron is equivalent to a British squadron and to either a troop or a company in the US armed forces.
^The reorganization was conducted by general Denis Favier, who had personally led the Marignane assault in 1994 as GIGN's commander and assumed command of the "new" GIGN in 2007. He later became Director-general of the Gendarmerie Nationale (DGGN) from 2013 to 2016.
^The new GIGN which replaced GSIGN in 2007 was often dubbed GIGN 2.0
^Two of the four fatalities involved AGIGN members, the first one occurred in May 2016 at a time when AGIGN's were not yet fully integrated into GIGN which explains why some publications mention "only" three operators killed in action.
^Intervention Spécialisée is the top tier of the Intervention spectrum. The first tier is "operational intervention" (also called basic intervention) and is taught to every gendarme. The next tier, "intermediate intervention" is for special "Surveillance and intervention" or "Intervention" platoons called "PSIG Sabre" in the Departmental Gendarmerie), PIGM in the Mobile Gendarmerie and PIGR in the Republican Guard.
^From 1974 to 1976, the Maisons-Alfort unit was named GIGN 1, and the Mont-de-Marsan unit GIGN 4, the numbering (1 or 4) being that of the military region. Histoire de la gendarmerie mobile d'Ile-de-France, 3 volumes, Éditions SPE-Barthelemy, Paris, 2007, ISBN2-912838-31-2 — tome III p 160
^Encyclopédie de la Gendarmerie Nationale, tome III p 160-166
France
Croix de la Valeur Militaire
Search and observation
Intervention
Protection
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![AGIGN overseas [note 12] operators clearing an airliner during a demo - 2017](/en/File:AGIGN3_Domenjod_270217.jpg)
