6th Light Armoured Brigade (France)

The 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6^e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6^e BLB) is one of the eight inter-arm brigades which are at the disposition of the Commandement des Forces Terrestres. The headquarters of the brigade is situated in Nîmes. The brigade is capable of deploying to any exterior theatre of operation while delivering fire power, agility, and mobility.

History

The brigade is heir to the 6th Cavalry Division (French: 6^e Division de cavalerie) of 1914, the 6th Light Cavalry Division of 1940 (French: 6^e Division Légère de Cavalerie), and the 6th Armoured Division, stationed in Compiègne (1951-1957) and then in Strasbourg (1977-1984)

In 1984, the formation was reorganised as the 6th Light Armoured Division (6e DLB) and was part of the Rapid Action Force (1984-1999). The division then was formed of 7 regiments, 5 professionals out which 3 are part of the Foreign Legion:

21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21^e RIMa, which had been part of the 31st Brigade (1981-1984)
68th Artillery Regiment, 68^e RA
6th Command and Support Regiment, 6^e RCS
1st Spahi Regiment, 1^er RS
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1^er REC, attached to the 31st Brigade
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^e REI, a regimental component of the 31st Brigade
6th Foreign Engineer Regiment, 6^e REG

Structure in 2007

Following Army reorganisation in 1999, the division was renamed the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6^e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6^e B.L.B). It consists of 6000 service personnel with 2100 wheeled vehicles, and includes 6 regiments and one transmission company:

21st Marine Infantry Regiment
3rd Marine Artillery Regiment
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^e REI
1st Spahi Regiment
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1^er REC
1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1^er REG
6th Command and Support Regiment

It includes significant numbers of the Foreign Legion and Troupes de Marine.

Organization in 2009

Strong with 6000 service personnel, legionnaires and Troupes de Marine the brigade is composed of:

General H.Q. in Nîmes
6th Command and Support Regiment, 6^e RCS
21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21^e RIMa
3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 3^e RAMa
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^e REI
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1^er REC
1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1^er REG

Organization in 2016

Mostly manned with troops from the Foreign Legion and Troupes de Marine, the brigade is composed of:

General H.Q. in Nîmes
6^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (6^e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Nîmes with VAB
1^er Régiment de Spahis – Cavalry Regiment in Valence with AMX 10 RC
1^er Régiment Etranger de Cavalerie (1^er REC) Foreign Legion - Cavalry Regiment in Marseille with AMX 10 RC
2^e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (2^e REI) - Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment in Nîmes with VBCI
13^e Demi Brigade de Légion Etrangère (13^e DBLE) - Foreign Legion regiment in La Cavalerie with VAB
21^e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (21^e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Fréjus with VAB
3^e Régiment d'Artillerie de Marine (3^e RAMa) - Marine Artillery Regiment in Canjuers with TRF1 howitzers, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars
1^er Régiment Étranger de Génie (1^er REG) - Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment in Laudun