Exoskeletons could soon move from niche experiments to everyday tools in military support roles, as the French Army’s Maintenance Brigade (BMAINT) has begun testing the tech within its logistics units.
The system is designed to help troops handle loads of up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) by transferring much of the weight to the ground, easing physical strain and reducing fatigue during transport tasks.
Several exoskeleton models supplied by European firms RB3D and German Bionic are now in use, with training overseen at the army’s military schools in Bourges.
While the service has not disclosed the exact systems under evaluation, it said the trials are intended to separate purely experimental concepts from exoskeletons that could be suitable for future operational use.
“These experiments are conducted in a technical, logistical, and field environment, in direct contact with the real constraints of support,” BMAINT stated, as quoted by Zone Militaire.
Streamlined Operations
France’s interest in exoskeletons is not new. The country’s Defence Innovation Agency first flagged passive exoskeleton as a priority area in 2019.
Two years later, the army began testing Canadian load-bearing Mawashi units on its troops, but the results remain undisclosed.
The French Army’s effort also reflects a broader global push to bring wearable load-bearing tech into military service.
Earlier this year, China’s People’s Liberation Army was seen testing exoskeletons capable of carrying heavy machine guns, while the US Army continues to study how the tech could reduce injuries and long-term strain among frontline troops.
