Ukraine can count on the transfer of intelligence data from France, as confirmed by the country’s Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. This was a reaction to the suspension of US military aid and intelligence information, as confirmed by US officials.
France has a powerful intelligence system, though it is smaller than the United States’. At the same time, the main thing is that it is completely autonomous. This includes satellite intelligence.
The entire European segment of NATO is estimated to have around 50 military satellites, with 15 of them being French, while the United States operates about 250. The main tool of French space intelligence is the CERES (Capacité de Renseignement Électromagnétique Spatiale) system which consists of three electromagnetic reconnaissance satellites.
These satellites allow to triangulate any enemy activity in the electromagnetic spectrum with high accuracy, detecting communication centers, air defense systems, command posts, etc.
It should also be noted that Airbus, headquartered in Blagnac, France, has its own group of optical and SAR satellites. At the same time, two Pleiades Neo satellites provide ultra-high resolution of 30 cm per pixel.
It is also worth noting the significant number of commercial satellites providing up-to-date, high-resolution satellite images, including the Finnish ICEYE. In other words, it is impossible to claim that the United States has left Ukraine completely blind in terms of space intelligence.
As for aerial reconnaissance, including data from UAVs or aircraft patrolling near russia, the absence of American patrols or the lack of information sharing means that while it may decrease, it will not disappear entirely.
In particular, France operates four of its own AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) E-3F Sentry aircraft and three E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. At the same time, considering the pan-European segment, NATO, as an organization, operates an additional 14 E-3 Sentries under the flag of Luxembourg.
Earlier War News Hub reported that France had tested airborne Akeron LP ATGM but there was no helicopter to use it.
