The GIGN ( ; ) is the elite tactical unit of the French National Gendarmerie. Among its missions are counterterrorism, hostage rescue, surveillance of national threats, protection of government officials, critical site protection (such as French embassies in war-torn countries), and targeting organized crime.
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. The main unit comprises around 400 operators based in Satory, near Versailles in the Paris Region. Approximately 600 additional operators make up fourteen regional GIGN branches called AGIGNs (), seven of which are also located in metropolitan France and the remaining seven in French overseas territories. 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. 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) 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 and rescued the passengers of Air France Flight 8969, which had been hijacked by the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria, at Marseille Provence Airport.
History
GIGN was formed in , near Paris, in 1973, shortly after the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics and other less-known incidents in France exposed a need for dedicated counterterrorist units.
Initially named ECRI (), 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 parachute squadron in in southwest France, but the two units were merged under 's command in 1976, and adopted the GIGN designation.From 1974 to 1976, the unit was named GIGN 1, and the unit GIGN 4, the numbering (1 or 4) being that of the military region.
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.
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.
In January 2015, GIGN was engaged for the very first time simultaneously with RAID, the National Police tactical unit, during the January 2015 Île-de-France attacks.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.
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
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 InterventionIntervention 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. and a Human Resources bureau, under two headquarters (administrative and operational):
Intervention Force Also known as the original GIGN, the Intervention Force () has approximately 100 operators, serving as GIGN's main assault unit. It is divided into four 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, the Observation & Search Force () specialises in reconnaissance in relation with judiciary police work, and counterterrorism. Formed from the EPIGN.
Security & Protection Force Approximately 65 operators, the Security & Protection Force () specialises in executive and sensitive site protection. Formed from the EPIGN.
Regional Branches Force The Regional Branches Force () serves as the headquarters for the fourteen regional GIGN branches.
Gendarmerie Detachment of the GSPR Presidential Security Group The Gendarmerie Detachment of the GSPR Presidential Security Group () is tasked with protecting the President of France. Originally a Gendarmerie unit, the GSPR is now jointly operated by the Gendarmerie and the National Police.
Engineering and Support Division The Engineering and Support Division () is a support force with cells specializing in long-range sniping, breaching, assault engineering, special devices, and other specializations.
National Training Center for Specialized Intervention The National Training Center for Specialized Intervention () is tasked with selection, training and retraining (called recycling) not only of GIGN operators, but also of selected Gendarmerie or foreign personnel.
Regional and overseas branches 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.
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 2016Gendarmerie memorandum 61050 dated 26 July 2016. 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 (), located on site at each one of the French nuclear power plants, are not a part of GIGN, but operate under its operational control.
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 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.
Known operations Known GIGN operations include: Rescue of 30 French pupils from a school bus captured by the Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis in Loyada, Djibouti in 1976. GIGN snipers and French Foreign Legion 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 in 1979; the hostage-takers surrendered before the assault was conducted. Advising Saudi authorities during the Grand Mosque Seizure in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in November and December 1979. Arrest of several Corsican terrorists of the National Liberation Front of Corsica at the Fesch Hostel in 1980 during the Bastelica-Fesch affair. Arrest of suspected Irish terrorists in the Irish of Vincennes affair, in August 1982.