The government is in
“complete vigilance”
regarding air security during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, assured Gabriel Attal on Friday after making his first visit to the armies at air base 942 in Lyon Mont-Verdun (Rhône).
This base, the nerve center of French air defense, oversees the air security mission which comes directly under the authority of the Prime Minister.
“There is complete vigilance with measures taken for all important sites
(of the Olympic Games)
, regarding an intrusion into the airspace by a plane or a drone
,” Gabriel Attal told a few journalists.
“Now there is no documented threat, but vigilance on our part with regard to the geopolitical context
,” he added, emphasizing the
“nodal point”
of the opening ceremony on July 26.
The head of government attended a demonstration of the fight against drones and a presentation of the aerial security systems for the Olympic Games, which will mobilize 2,400 aviators.
Under direct authority of the head of government
Several areas will be temporarily closed to aircraft, especially around Paris and Marseille, and ground-to-air defense devices will be installed in certain locations.
The Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, who met his German counterpart in Berlin, was not present.
He was represented by Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs Patricia Miralles.
Gabriel Attal visited the National Air Operations Center (CNOA), installed underground to resist a possible nuclear attack.
The activities of the center are under the direct authority of the head of government as part of his territorial defense mission.
If a plane refuses to identify itself and give its regulatory information, the CNOA can send a helicopter or a fighter plane to communicate.
In the event of refusal to comply, the aircraft sent for reconnaissance may carry out a warning shot, or even shoot down the aircraft, which never happened.
This final decision is taken by the Prime Minister at the end of a very short chain of command, so as not to waste time.
Gabriel Attal also visited the no less sensitive Air Center for Planning and Conduct of Air Operations (CAPCO), which further coordinates external air operations.
He returned to Paris aboard an Airbus A330-MRTT Phénix used for the transport and in-flight refueling of other aircraft, on board which he was able to witness the refueling of two Rafale aircraft and an interception simulation in flight.