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| Centre de Planification et de Conduite des Opérations | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Centre de Planification et de Conduite des Opérations |
| Native name | Centre de Planification et de Conduite des Opérations |
| Dates | 1991–present |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Armed Forces |
| Type | Operational command centre |
| Role | Strategic planning, operational command |
| Garrison | École Militaire, Paris |
| Notable commanders | Claude Perriès, Benoît Puga, François Lecointre |
Centre de Planification et de Conduite des Opérations
The Centre de Planification et de Conduite des Opérations (CPCO) is the operational planning and conduct cell of the French Armed Forces established within the État-major des armées framework. It performs strategic planning, crisis management and joint force coordination for operations connected to institutions such as the Présidence de la République, the Ministère des Armées, and allied bodies including NATO and the European Union. The CPCO interfaces with commands and agencies including the Commandement des Opérations Spéciales, École Militaire, Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure, and multinational staffs.
The CPCO traces roots to reforms after the end of the Cold War and the lessons of operations such as Gulf War (1990–1991), prompting restructuring in the Armed Forces of the Fifth French Republic under presidents like François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac. Its establishment aligned with doctrines influenced by experiences in Bosnian War, Rwandan Genocide, and interventions in Tchad and Côte d'Ivoire, while reflecting changes motivated by leaders including Hervé Morin and chiefs of staff such as Édouard Guillaud. Over time the CPCO adapted to technological shifts seen in programs like SCAPY and procurement entities like Direction générale de l'armement while coordinating with partners such as United States European Command, African Union, and United Nations.
The CPCO's mandate covers contingency planning, force deployment orders, and operational conduct for theaters from Sahel engagements to expeditionary actions resembling interventions in Libya and Mali. It provides planning support to authorities including the Conseil de défense et de sécurité nationale and liaises with agencies such as Ministère de l'Intérieur, Gendarmerie nationale, and international staffs from Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and Joint Force Command Naples. The centre integrates doctrine from organizations like NATO Allied Command Operations, European Union Military Staff, and doctrine schools such as École de guerre.
The CPCO is embedded within the État-major des armées under the authority of the Chef d'état-major des armées, and interacts with branches including Armée de Terre, Marine nationale, Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace, and Commandement des Opérations Spéciales. Its internal divisions mirror functions present in staffs of commands like Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and include planning cells akin to those at United States European Command or UK Permanent Joint Headquarters. Leadership pathways have included officers promoted from schools such as École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr and École de l'air, and personnel exchange with units like 1er régiment de parachutistes d'infanterie de marine and Brigade des forces spéciales Terre.
The CPCO directs operations ranging from peacetime evacuations to combat operations similar in scope to Opération Serval and stabilization missions comparable to Opération Barkhane. Capabilities include strategic mobility coordination with logistics entities such as Service de l'Intendance des Armées, airlift coordination with assets like A400M Atlas and C-130 Hercules, and maritime liaison with Charles de Gaulle (R91) carrier task elements and Marine nationale amphibious units. The centre uses command-and-control systems paralleling Link 16 integration and intelligence flows from organizations like Direction du Renseignement Militaire and partners such as CIA, MI6, and Bundesnachrichtendienst in coalition settings.
The CPCO routinely coordinates with multinational frameworks including NATO, the European Union, the United Nations, and regional partners like the African Union and Economic Community of West African States. Liaison arrangements exist with staffs of United States European Command, United States Africa Command, UK Strategic Command, Bundeswehrführungskommando, and bilateral structures with countries such as Mali, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Lebanon, and Syria in crisis contexts. The centre participates in NATO exercises like Trident Juncture and EU operations such as Operation Sophia (EUNAVFOR MED), while engaging in defense cooperation initiatives with states including Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt.
The CPCO played a central role in planning and conduct phases of missions comparable to Opération Licorne, Opération Sangaris, Opération Harmattan, and coordination for Operation Barkhane successor frameworks. It has orchestrated evacuations during crises reminiscent of events in Benghazi, Tripoli, and Kiev and led planning for multinational exercises such as Cobra Warrior, Saber Junction, and Exercise African Lion alongside participants from United States Armed Forces, Royal Air Force, Luftwaffe, Spanish Armed Forces, and Italian Armed Forces.
The CPCO has faced scrutiny in parliamentary commissions echoing debates over interventions like Opération Serval and Opération Barkhane concerning rules of engagement, strategic objectives, and resource allocation debated by politicians including Jean-Yves Le Drian and commentators across outlets referencing events such as the Mali War (2012–present). Critiques have focused on coordination with partners such as UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and effectiveness compared to models like NATO-led ISAF; controversies have involved civil society organizations, investigative reporting related to operations in Sahel, legal questions invoking institutions like the Conseil constitutionnel, and parliamentary oversight by bodies such as the Assemblée nationale.