The GIGN ( ; ) is the elite

police tactical unit A police tactical unit (PTU) is a specialized police unit trained and equipped to handle situations that are beyond the capabilities of ordinary law enforcement units because of the level of violence (or risk of violence) involved. The tasks of a ...

of the

French National Gendarmerie The National Gendarmerie ( ) is one of two national law enforcement forces of France, along with the National Police. The Gendarmerie is a branch of the French Armed Forces placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior, with add ...

. Among its missions are

counterterrorism Counterterrorism (alternatively spelled: counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, relates to the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, businesses, and Intelligence agency, intelligence ...

, hostage rescue,

surveillance Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, many activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering, influencing, managing, or directing. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment, such as ...

of national threats, protection of government officials, critical site protection (such as French embassies in war-torn countries), and targeting

organized crime Organized crime is a category of transnational organized crime, transnational, national, or local group of centralized enterprises run to engage in illegal activity, most commonly for profit. While organized crime is generally thought of as a f ...

. 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. It is now composed of nearly 1,000 operators: around 400 operators based in Satory, near

Versailles The Palace of Versailles ( ; ) is a former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV located in Versailles, Yvelines, Versailles, about west of Paris, in the Yvelines, Yvelines Department of Île-de-France, Île-de-France region in Franc ...

in the

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

area and approximately 600 operators in fourteen regional GIGN branches called AGIGNs (), located in

metropolitan France Metropolitan France ( or ), also known as European France (), is the area of France which is geographically in Europe and chiefly comprises #Hexagon, the mainland, popularly known as "the Hexagon" ( or ), and Corsica. This collective name for the ...

or in the

French overseas territories Overseas France (, also ) consists of 13 French territories outside Europe, mostly the remnants of the French colonial empire that remained a part of the French state under various statuses after decolonisation. Most are part of the European ...

. The unit shares jurisdiction of French sovereign territory with the special response units of the National Police,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 RAID (; redundant array of inexpensive disks or redundant array of independent disks) is a data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical Computer data storage, data storage components into one or more logical units for th ...

. If needed, they can form a joint task force called National Police Intervention Force (). GIGN and FIPN (or its components) can be engaged together – or in the other force's area of responsibility – in an emergency. and its training centre is located in Beynes. Although most of its operations take place in France, the GIGN (as a component of the

French Armed Forces The French Armed Forces (, ) are the military forces of France. They consist of four military branches – the Army, the Navy, the Air and Space Force, and the National Gendarmerie. The National Guard serves as the French Armed Forces' milita ...

) 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. In December 1994, the GIGN rose to worldwide prominence after its operatives successfully stormed

Air France Flight 8969 Air France Flight 8969 (Operation Rock Climber) was an Air France flight that was hijacked on 24 December 1994 by the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria (GIA) at Houari Boumediene Airport, Algiers. The militants murdered three passengers and the ...

, which had been hijacked by the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria at Marseille Provence Airport; all four hijackers were killed in the assault. File:GIGN44 Domenjod 011021.jpg, Search and observation File:GIGN57 Domenjod 170322.jpg, Intervention File:GIGN35 Domenjod 270918.jpg, Protection

History

GIGN was formed in , near Paris, in 1973, shortly after the Munich massacre at the

1972 Summer Olympics The 1972 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad () and officially branded as Munich 1972 (; ), were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from 26 August to 11 September 1972. It was the ...

and other less-known incidents in France exposed a need for dedicated counterterrorist units. Initially named ECRI ( or Regional Commando Intervention Team), it became operational in March 1974, under the command of then-lieutenant , and executed its first mission ten days later. Another unit, named GIGN, was created simultaneously within the

Mobile Gendarmerie The Mobile Gendarmerie () (GM) is a subdivision of the French National Gendarmerie whose main mission is to maintain public order (from crowd control to riot control) and general security. Contrary to the Departmental Gendarmerie, whose jurisdic ...

parachute squadron in in southwest France, but the two units were merged under 's command in 1976, and adopted the GIGN designation. GIGNs initial complement was 15, later increased to 32 in 1976, 78 by 1986, and 120 by 2005. GIGN moved to in 1982. In 1984, it became a part of a larger organisation called GSIGN (),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 together with EPIGN (),A French escadron is equivalent to a British squadron and to either a troop or a company in the US armed forces. GSPR (), the Presidential Security group and GISA (), 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.The reorganization was conducted by general , 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 (DGGN) from 2013 to 2016. 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 The Beslan school siege, also referred to as the Beslan school hostage crisis or the Beslan massacre, was an Islamic terrorism, Islamic terrorist attack that started on 1 September 2004. It lasted three days, and involved the imprisonment of mo ...

. In 2009, the Gendarmerie, while remaining part of the

, was attached to the

Ministry of the Interior An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement. In some states, the ...

, 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. In January 2015, GIGN was engaged for the very first time simultaneously with

, the National Police tactical unit, during the

January 2015 Île-de-France attacks From 7 to 9 January 2015, terrorist attacks occurred across the Île-de-France region, particularly in Paris most prominently at the offices of the magazine Charlie Hebdo. Three attackers killed a total of 17 people in four shooting attacks, and ...

.The two actions were distinct but coordinated 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 () 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",The new GIGN which replaced GSIGN in 2007 was often dubbed GIGN 2.0 the new organization also emphasizes the group's role in training and in operational support. Ministerial decree of 26 July 2021. Arrêté du 26 juillet 2021 relatif aux attributions et à l'organisation du groupe d'intervention de la gendarmerie nationale NOR : INTJ2120405A https://media.interieur.gouv.fr/bomi/BOMI2021-8-2/textes/I40_20210726_INTJ2120405A.pdf 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.GIGN 3.0 ''Gend'Info'' (Official Gendarmerie information magazine in French), Issue 417 1st Semester 2022 File:Écusson région gendarmerie GIGN.svg, Main GIGN insignia File:Logo Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (GIGN).svg, GIGN patch for HQ and Satory-based forces File:Emblème des Antennes du Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (AGIGN).svg, AGIGN patch Since its creation, the group has taken part in over 1,800 operations, rescued over 600 hostages and arrested over 1,500 suspects, losing four members killed in action and ten in training.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. 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.

Structure

GIGN is currently organized in four "''forces''", a "détachement", an Engineering and Support division, a National Training Center for Specialized Intervention''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

and PIGR in the

Republican Guard A republican guard, sometimes called a national guard, is a state organization of a country (often a republic, hence the name ''Republican'') which typically serves to protect the head of state and the government, and thus is often synonymous wit ...

. and a Human Resources bureau, under two headquarters (administrative and operational): * Intervention Force ( – 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 (): Approximately 40 operators, specializing in reconnaissance in relation with judiciary police work, and counterterrorism. Formed from the EPIGN. * Security & Protection Force (): Approximately 65 operators, specializing in executive and sensitive site protection. Formed from the EPIGN. * Regional Branches Force (): Headquarters for the fourteen regional GIGN branches. * Gendarmerie Detachment of the GSPR Presidential Security Group (): Tasked with protecting the

President of France The president of France, officially the president of the French Republic (), is the executive head of state of France, and the commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces. As the presidency is the supreme magistracy of the country, the po ...

. 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 (): A support force with cells specializing in long-range sniping, breaching, assault engineering, special devices, and other specializations. * National Training Center for Specialized Intervention (): 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'', but none have so far succeeded in joining the Intervention Force. There are several tactical specialties in the group, including: long-range sniping, breaching, observation and

reconnaissance In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...

, 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 (), a joint Army/Air Force

special operations Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment." Special operations ma ...

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, initially known as PI2Gs () for the domestic units and GPIs () for the overseas units, were respectively redesignated as GIGN branches in April and July 2016 and fully integrated into GIGN in 2021. As of 2021, the seven metropolitan GIGN branches are located in

Caen Caen (; ; ) is a Communes of France, commune inland from the northwestern coast of France. It is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Calvados (department), Calvados. The city proper has 105,512 inha ...

Dijon Dijon (, ; ; in Burgundian language (Oïl), Burgundian: ''Digion'') is a city in and the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Côte-d'Or Departments of France, department and of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regions of France, region in eas ...

Nantes Nantes (, ; ; or ; ) is a city in the Loire-Atlantique department of France on the Loire, from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast. The city is the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, sixth largest in France, with a pop ...

, Orange,

Reims Reims ( ; ; also spelled Rheims in English) is the most populous city in the French Departments of France, department of Marne (department), Marne, and the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, 12th most populous city in Fran ...

Toulouse Toulouse (, ; ; ) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Haute-Garonne department and of the Occitania (administrative region), Occitania region. The city is on the banks of the Garonne, River Garonne, from ...

and

Tours Tours ( ; ) is the largest city in the region of Centre-Val de Loire, France. It is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Indre-et-Loire. The Communes of France, commune of Tours had 136,463 inhabita ...

, while the seven overseas branches are based in

Guadeloupe Guadeloupe is an Overseas departments and regions of France, overseas department and region of France in the Caribbean. It consists of six inhabited islands—Basse-Terre Island, Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galant ...

Martinique Martinique ( ; or ; Kalinago language, Kalinago: or ) is an island in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It was previously known as Iguanacaera which translates to iguana island in Carib language, Kariʼn ...

French Guiana French Guiana, or Guyane in French, is an Overseas departments and regions of France, overseas department and region of France located on the northern coast of South America in the Guianas and the West Indies. Bordered by Suriname to the west ...

Réunion Réunion (; ; ; known as before 1848) is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas departments and regions of France, overseas department and region of France. Part of the Mascarene Islands, it is located approximately east of the isl ...

Mayotte Mayotte ( ; , ; , ; , ), officially the Department of Mayotte (), is an Overseas France, overseas Overseas departments and regions of France, department and region and single territorial collectivity of France. It is one of the Overseas departm ...

French Polynesia French Polynesia ( ; ; ) is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole #Governance, overseas country. It comprises 121 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over more than in the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean. The t ...

and

New Caledonia New Caledonia ( ; ) is a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean, southwest of Vanuatu and east of Australia. Located from Metropolitan France, it forms a Overseas France#Sui generis collectivity, ''sui generis'' collectivity of t ...

. The twenty nuclear protection units, called PSPGs (), 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

, the National Police's tactical unit, is handled by a joint organization called Ucofi ( or Intervention Forces Coordination Unit). A "leader/follower" protocol has been established for use when both units need to be engaged jointly,As was the case following the 7 January 2015 ''Charlie Hebdo'' assassinations. leadership belonging to the unit operating in its primary areas of responsibility.

Operations

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

. 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 Atlas Network, formerly known as Atlas Economic Research Foundation, is a non-governmental, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization based in the United States that provides training, networking, and grants for libertarian, free-market, and Conserva ...

, an informal association consisting of the special police units of the 27 states of the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...

. Known GIGN operations include: * Rescue of 30 French pupils from a

school bus A school bus is any type of bus owned, leased, contracted to, or operated by a school or school district. It is regularly used to Student transport, transport students to and from school or school-related activities, but not including a charter ...

captured by the '' Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis'' in

Loyada Loyada (, ) is a small town in Djibouti. Located in the Arta Region, it is the only official border crossing from Djibouti into Somaliland. It is situated on the west coast of Gulf of Aden, from the capital, Djibouti. Etymology The name of the t ...

Djibouti Djibouti, officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Somalia to the south, Ethiopia to the southwest, Eritrea in the north, and the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to the east. The country has an area ...

in 1976. GIGN snipers and

French Foreign Legion The French Foreign Legion (, also known simply as , "the Legion") is a corps of the French Army created to allow List of militaries that recruit foreigners, foreign nationals into French service. The Legion was founded in 1831 and today consis ...

troops killed the hostage-takers in an operation that was only partially successful, as two children were killed. * Planning the rescue of diplomats from the French Embassy in

San Salvador San Salvador () is the Capital city, capital and the largest city of El Salvador and its San Salvador Department, eponymous department. It is the country's largest agglomeration, serving as the country's political, cultural, educational and fin ...

in 1979; the hostage-takers surrendered before the assault was conducted. * Advising Saudi authorities during the Grand Mosque Seizure in

Mecca Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia; it is the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley above ...

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...

, in November and December 1979. * Arrest of several

Corsica Corsica ( , , ; ; ) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the Regions of France, 18 regions of France. It is the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of the Metro ...

n terrorists of the

National Liberation Front of Corsica The National Liberation Front of Corsica ( or ; , Abbreviation, abbreviated FLNC) is a name used by various Guerrilla warfare, guerrilla and paramilitary organizations that advocate an Independence, independent or Autonomy, autonomous state on t ...

at the Fesch Hostel in 1980. * Arrest of suspected Irish terrorists in the Irish of Vincennes affair, in August 1982. * Rescue of hostages during the

Ouvéa cave hostage taking The Ouvéa cave hostage taking occurred from 22 April 1988 to 5 May 1988 on the island of Ouvéa, New Caledonia, a south Pacific archipelago under control of France. During the stand-off and seizure of a brigade of gendarmerie, members of an in ...

in Ouvea,

in May 1988. * Protection of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in

Albertville Albertville (; Franco-Provençal, Arpitan: ''Arbèrtvile'') is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Savoie Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region in Southeastern France. It is best k ...

. * Rescue of 229 passengers and crew from

Marseille Marseille (; ; see #Name, below) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Bouches-du-Rhône and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region. Situated in the ...

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. * Arrest of the mercenary Bob Denard and his group during a coup attempt in 1995 in

Comoros The Comoros, officially the Union of the Comoros, is an archipelagic country made up of three islands in Southeastern Africa, located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city is Moroni, ...

( Operation Azalee). * Operations in

Bosnia Bosnia and Herzegovina, sometimes known as Bosnia-Herzegovina and informally as Bosnia, is a country in Southeast Europe. Situated on the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula, it borders Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to th ...

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 Puntland is an autonomous state that considers itself to be part of Somalia, despite not accepting the legitimacy of Somalia's current governing administration. It was formed in 1998, and was a federal member state of Somalia from its fou ...

Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...

in the

Gulf of Aden The Gulf of Aden (; ) is a deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean between Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, Djibouti to the west, and the Guardafui Channel, the Socotra Archipelago, Puntland in Somalia and Somaliland to the south. ...

, 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. * Deployment in Libya during Operation Harmattan in 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. * Deployment to counter unrest in New Caledonia in 2024 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

Candidates undertake a one-week pre-selection screening followed by, for those accepted, a fourteen-month training program. 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. GIGN training consists of: * Weapon handling * Combat shooting and marksmanship training * Airborne courses, such as HALO or HAHO jumps, paragliding, and heliborne insertions * Underwater combat, swimming, diving, and

naval boarding Naval boarding is an offensive (military), offensive military tactics, tactic used in naval warfare to come up against (or alongside) an enemy watercraft and attack by inserting combatants aboard that vessel. The goal of boarding is to invade ...

Hand-to-hand combat Hand-to-hand combat is a physical confrontation between two or more persons at short range (grappling distance or within the physical reach of a handheld weapon) that does not involve the use of ranged weapons.Hunsicker, A., ''Advanced Skills in ...

training * Undercover surveillance and stalking (investigative cases support) * Infiltration and escape techniques *

Explosive ordnance disposal Bomb disposal is an explosives engineering profession using the process by which hazardous explosive devices are disabled or otherwise rendered safe. ''Bomb disposal'' is an all-encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated fu ...

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN defense) or Nuclear, biological, and chemical protection (NBC protection) is a class of protective measures taken in situations where chemical warfare, chemical, biological warfar ...

device neutralization * Survival and warfare in tropical, arctic, mountain and desert environments * Diplomacy and negotiation skills The GIGN trains alongside other counterterrorist units from

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...

countries, including the American FBI HRT, British SAS, Australian SPS, German

GSG 9 , formerly , is the police tactical unit of the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei). The unit is responsible for combatting terrorism and violent crime, including organized crime. In addition to its headquarters location in Sankt Augustin-H ...

, and Irish Garda ERU.

Weapons and equipment

GIGN uses a wide range of firearms and equipment, including: * Sidearms: **

Pistol A pistol is a type of handgun, characterised by a gun barrel, barrel with an integral chamber (firearms), chamber. The word "pistol" derives from the Middle French ''pistolet'' (), meaning a small gun or knife, and first appeared in the Englis ...

s: Glock 17/19/26, SIG Sauer SP 2022 **

Revolver A revolver is a repeating handgun with at least one barrel and a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers (each holding a single cartridge) for firing. Because most revolver models hold six cartridges before needing to be reloaded, ...

Manurhin MR 73 The Manurhin MR 73 is a French Trigger (firearms)#Double-action/single-action, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum and .38 Special. It is manufactured by Manurhin and is available in 2.5", 2.75", 3", 4", 4.25”, 5.25", ...

Smith & Wesson Model 686 The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six- or seven-shot double-action revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson and chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 6 ...

Submachine gun A submachine gun (SMG) is a magazine (firearms), magazine-fed automatic firearm, automatic carbine designed to fire handgun cartridges. The term "submachine gun" was coined by John T. Thompson, the inventor of the Thompson submachine gun, to descri ...

s: HK MP5, HK MP7,

FN P90 The FN P90 is a personal defense weapon chambered for the 5.7×28mm cartridge, also classified as a submachine gun, designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. Created in response to NATO requests for a replacement for 9×19mm Parabe ...

, SIG MPX *

Shotgun A shotgun (also known as a scattergun, peppergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a long gun, long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge (firearms), cartridge known as a shotshell, which discharges numerous small ...

Remington Model 870 The Remington Model 870 is a Pump action shotgun, pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms, Remington Arms Company, LLC. It is widely used by the public for shooting sports, hunting and self-defense, as well as by law enforcement and mi ...

, Franchi SPAS-12,

Benelli M4 The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic shotgun produced by Italian firearm manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA, and the fourth and last model of the Benelli Super 90 line of semi-automatic shotguns. The M4 uses a proprietary action design called the "auto- ...

Assault rifle An assault rifle is a select fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge, intermediate-rifle cartridge and a Magazine (firearms), detachable magazine.C. Taylor, ''The Fighting Rifle: A Complete Study of the Rifle in Combat'', F.A. Moyer '' ...

s: HK416, HK417, HK G36, SIG MCX, SIG SG 550 and variants, CZ BREN 2, FAMAS (ceremonially) *

Sniper rifle A sniper rifle is a high-precision, long range shooting, long-range rifle. Requirements include high accuracy, reliability, mobility, concealment, and optics, for anti-personnel weapon, anti-personnel, anti-materiel rifle, anti-materiel and sur ...

Accuracy International Arctic Warfare The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International. It has proved popular as a civilian, police, and military rifle since its introduction in the ...

in .308 and .338, Accuracy International AXSR, PGM Hécate II in 12.7x99mm *

Ballistic shield A ballistic shield, also called a tactical shield or bulletproof shield, is a protection device deployed by police, paramilitary, paramilitaries, and military, armed forces that are designed to stop or deflect bullets and other projectiles fired a ...

s * Various types of

armored vehicles Military vehicles are commonly armoured (or armored; see spelling differences) to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets, shells, rockets, and missiles, protecting the personnel inside from enemy fire. Such vehicles include armoured fighti ...

, both civilian-style

SUVs A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a car classification that combines elements of road-going passenger cars with features from off-road vehicles, such as raised ground clearance and four-wheel drive. There is no commonly agreed-upon definitio ...

and dedicated

armoured personnel carrier An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is a broad type of armoured military vehicle designed to transport personnel and equipment in combat zones. Since World War I, APCs have become a very common piece of military equipment around the world. Acc ...

s, some with assault ladders installed on the roof of the vehicle * Various types of

helicopter A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which Lift (force), lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning Helicopter rotor, rotors. This allows the helicopter to VTOL, take off and land vertically, to hover (helicopter), hover, and ...

s—the unit doesn't own any helicopter but uses machines that belong either to the Gendamerie or to GIH, an Army Special Forces unit dedicated to support GIGN an RAID File:GIGN21 Domenjod 140618.jpg,

revolver traditionally issued to each GIGN operator, but no longer used operationally File:GIGN22 Domenjod 140618.jpg, CZ BREN 2 in GIGN configuration File:GIGN64 Domenjod 160622.jpg,

sniper rifle used by GIGN File:GLOCK 171926E.jpg, Glock handguns used by the GIGN File:GIGN40 Domenjod 270918.jpg, alt=,

Chevrolet Suburban The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet since the 1935 model year. The longest-used automobile nameplate in the world, the Chevrolet Suburban is currently in its twelfth generation, introduced for 2021. Beginning life a ...

with a SWATEC HARAS assault ladder File:GIGN-Centigon1 Domenjod 23 nov 2017.jpg,

Toyota Land Cruiser The , also sometimes spelt as LandCruiser, is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. It is Toyota's longest running series of models. , the sales of the Land Cruiser totalled more than 1 ...

with armor installed by Centigon Security Group GIGN42 Domenjod 011021.jpg, Hostage rescue demo in a bus with Centigon armored vehicles File:GIGN29 Domenjod 140618.jpg, alt=, Sherpa Light with an assault ladder installed on its roof File:GIGN52 Domenjod 011021.jpg, GIGN FOR operator inserted by a Gendarmerie helicopter during a demo File:GIGN76 Domenjod 061124.jpg, GIGN sniper in a GIH helicopter during a demo File:GIGN74 Domenjod 061124.jpg, GIH helicopter carrying a team of operators on ESCAPE, a GIGN-designed device used to carry a team on a platform File:GIGN75 Domenjod 061124.jpg, GIGN sniper in a Gendarmerie helicopter during a demo

Motto and values

* Until 2014: ("To save lives without regard to one's own") * Since 2014: ("A commitment for life") 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.

GIGN leaders

* ''

Chef d'escadron In some branches of the French Army and in the French National Gendarmerie ''Chef d'escadron'' ("squadron leader") is the officer rank above captain and below lieutenant colonel. It is the first Senior officer (''Officier supérieur'') rank and ...

Christian Prouteau Christian Prouteau (born 7 April 1944) is a retired French military officer in the National Gendarmerie, French National Gendarmerie. He was involved in the organisation of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, GIGN (of which he was promin ...

: 1973–1982 * '' Capitaine'' Paul Barril: 1982–1983 (Interim) * ''Capitaine'' Philippe Masselin: 1983–1985 * ''Chef d'escadron'' Philippe Legorjus: 1985–1989 * ''Chef d'escadron'' Lionel Chesneau: 1989–1992 * ''Chef d'escadron'' Denis Favier: 1992–1997 * ''Chef d'escadron'' Eric Gerard: 1997–2002 * Lieutenant Colonel Frédéric Gallois: 2002-2007 * '' Général de Brigade'' Denis Favier: 2007–2011 * ''Général de Brigade'' Thierry Orosco: 2011–2014 * ''Général de Brigade'' Hubert Bonneau: 2014–2017 * ''Général de Brigade'' Laurent Phélip: 2017–2020 * ''

Général de Division Divisional general is a general officer rank who commands an army division. The rank originates from the French Revolutionary System, and is used by a number of countries. The rank is above a brigade general, and normally below an army corps ...

'' Ghislain Réty: since August 2020

Awards

On 9 December 2011, French Defense MinisterThe title was changed in 2017 to ''Ministre des Armées'' ('Minister of the Armies') Gérard Longuet, awarded the

Cross for Military Valour The Cross for Military Valour () is a military decoration of France. It recognizes an individual bestowed a Mention in Dispatches earned for showing valour in presence of an enemy, in theatres of operations which are not subject to the award of ...

to GIGN for its participation in operation Harmattan in Libya. On 31 July 2013, GIGN was awarded a second

for its participation in the

War in Afghanistan War in Afghanistan, Afghan war, or Afghan civil war may refer to: *Conquest of Afghanistan by Alexander the Great (330 BC – 327 BC), the conquest of Afghanistan by the Macedonian Empire * Muslim conquests of Afghanistan, a series of campaigns in ...

. 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 The ''fourragère'' (, from , "fodder") is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, in the form of a braided cord. The award was first adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, ...

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

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 war film ''very'' loosely based on GIGN's 1976 hostage rescue of school children in

Gallery

File:GIGN65 Domenjod 160622.jpg, GIGN operators alongside a Sherpa Light armored vehicle (2022) File:GIGN69 Domenjod 160622.jpg, A GIGN assault team entering a

kill house A kill house or shoot house is a live ammunition small arms shooting range used to train military and law enforcement personnel for Close-quarters combat, close contact engagements in urban combat environments. Designed to mimic residential, co ...

after breaching its door (2022) File:GIGN-Exercice-a-la-centrale-nucleaire-de-Cruas-Meysse-NRBC-MATISEC OTAN.jpg, GIGN operators in

NBC suit An NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) suit, also called a chem suit, or chemical suit is a type of military personal protective equipment. NBC suits are designed to provide protection against direct contact with and contamination by Radioactiv ...

s during a NATO

CBRN defense Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN defense) or Nuclear, biological, and chemical protection (NBC protection) is a class of protective measures taken in situations where chemical warfare, chemical, biological warfar ...

exercise File:GIGN46 Domenjod 011021.jpg, GIGN operators escorting a VIP during a demo (2021) File:PI2G 3F.jpg, AGIGN operators in an urban environment (2015) File:AGIGN3 Domenjod 270217.jpg, AGIGN overseasIn continental France, this mission would be undertaken by the main Satory-based unit operators clearing an

airliner An airliner is a type of airplane for transporting passengers and air cargo. Such aircraft are most often operated by airlines. The modern and most common variant of the airliner is a long, tube shaped, and jet powered aircraft. The largest ...

during a demo (2017) File:AGIGN2 Domenjod 110217.jpg, AGIGN operators escorting a convoy (2017)

Notes and references

Notes

References

Bibliography

* *

External links

GIGN page on the Gendarmerie Nationale's Official webpage

''GIGN, 40 ans d'assauts''
(French documentary) {{Authority control 1973 establishments in France ATLAS Network French Gendarmerie Units and formations of the French Gendarmerie