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Prénom de l'expert

Léo

Nom de l'expert

PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ

Research Fellow, Security Studies Center, Head of the Defense Research Unit, Ifri

Research Areas:

Armament and Capability
Defense industry
Geopolitics and Turkish Armed Forces

A soldier watching a sunset on an armored infantry fighting vehicle

Security Studies Center

French soldiers during an exercise in the forest

Defense Research Unit

Léo Péria-Peigné is a researcher at the Security Studies Center of the French Institute of International Relations, where he heads the Defense Research Unit since April 2026. Specializing in issues related to armaments and the defense industry, he also works on the war in Ukraine and European rearmament.

He joined Ifri in early 2022 after spending two years in consulting and competitive intelligence in the armaments sector, as well as a period at the Special Operations Command, following a master’s degree in international relations and competitive intelligence from Sciences Po Lille. He has written in particular on military stockpiles, drones, and Germany’s Zeitenwende. He also occasionally teaches at Sciences Po Lille and Sciences Po Paris.

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Ifri, a foundation recognized as being of public utility, relies largely on private donors – companies and individuals – to guarantee its sustainability and intellectual independence. Through their funding, donors help maintain the Institute's position among the world's leading think tanks. By benefiting from an internationally recognized network and expertise, donors refine their understanding of geopolitical risk and its consequences on global politics and the economy. In 2026, Ifri partners with over 90 French and international companies and organizations.

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Presentation of Ramses 2026, Ifri, Paris

Analysis from Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ

Publications

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Papers

Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Europe’s Long-standing and Enduring Dependence?

10 February 2026

The war in Ukraine has underlined the importance of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) in modern conflict, especially a war without clear air superiority and hence a reduced potential for air-launched deep strike. In 2022, the European MLRS fleet was split between a variety of Western platforms developed at the end of the Cold War and specialized in precision strikes.

Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ

Studies

French Leclerc tanks in Romania, 2024, Letter from the Chief of the Army Staff, French Army Ifri

Main Battle Tank: Obsolescence or Renaissance?

17 November 2025

Since February 2022, Russian and Ukrainian forces combined have lost more than 5,000 battle tanks, a much higher volume than all the European armor combined. Spearhead of the Soviet doctrine from which the two belligerents came, tanks were deployed in large numbers from the first day and proved to be a prime target for UAVs that became more numerous and efficient over the months. The large number of UAV strike videos against tanks has also led a certain number of observers to conclude, once again, that armor is obsolete on a modern battlefield. This approach must, however, be nuanced by a deeper study of the losses and their origin, UAVs rarely being the sole origin of the loss itself, often caused by a combination of factors such as mines, artillery or other anti-tank weapons.

Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ

Studies

A Transatlantic Defense Industrial Base? Two Contrasting Views

12 March 2025

The evolving landscape of global defense cooperation has brought the transatlantic relationship between the United States (US) and Europe into sharp focus. As geopolitical tensions rise and the threat environment becomes more complex, the question of how Europe can best ensure its security while navigating its relationship with the United States has become paramount. This double feature report offers two contrasting views on the dynamics of US-Europe defense industrial relations, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for both parties.

Jonathan CAVERLEY Ethan B. KAPSTEIN Élie TENENBAUM Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ

Studies

US and Kuwaiti soldiers operate HIMARS and BM-30 Smerch rocket launchers during an exercise in Kuwait in January 2019

Deep Precision Strikes: A New Tool for Strategic Competition?

19 November 2024

Reaching deep into the enemy’s system to weaken it and facilitate the achievement of operational or strategic objectives is a key goal for armed forces. What capabilities are required to conduct deep strikes in the dual context of high-intensity conflict and strengthened enemy defenses?

Héloïse FAYET Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ

Studies

Zeitenwende: The Bundeswehr’s Paradigm Shift

29 September 2023

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marked a turning point in German defense policy. After thirty years of military downsizing, the Bundeswehr found itself at an extremely low capability level just as a high-intensity war involving a great power was breaking out on Europe’s doorstep for the first time since 1945. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s response was to embrace this “turning point” (Zeitenwende) by launching a major program to reequip Germany’s armed forces.

Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ Élie TENENBAUM

Memos

Bayraktar TB2 UAV presented in the military parade marking the thirtieth anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, Kyiv, August 24, 2021

TB2 Bayraktar: Big Strategy for a Little Drone

17 April 2023

Since 2016, the tactical drone TB2 Bayraktar—“standard bearer” in Turkish—has received considerable media attention, particularly during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. Thanks to Azerbaijan’s victory over its neighbor Armenia, the drone, manufactured by Baykar, is now a proven combat system with increasing numbers of export clients.

Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ

Studies

Military Stockpiles: A Life-Insurance Policy in a High-Intensity Conflict?

06 December 2022

The war in Ukraine is a reminder of the place of attrition from high-intensity conflict in European armies that have been cut to the bone after three decades of budget cuts. All European forces have had to reduce their stocks to the bare minimum. As a result, support to Ukraine has meant a significant drain on their operational capabilities. A significant amount of decommissioned systems were also donated, due to the lack of depth in operational fleets.

Léo PÉRIA-PEIGNÉ