France's military will develop physically augmented and digitally networked "super soldiers" guided by a moral code.
A military ethics committee consented to soldiers undergoing medical treatments, prosthetics and implants that lead to improved "physical, cognitive, perceptive and psychological capacities." It permits these super soldiers, or bionic soldiers, to digitally connect with weapons and other soldiers.
The committee agreed to developing medical treatments that prevent pain, stress and fatigue. It will allow super soldiers to take substances that can improve mental resilience if taken prisoner.
The committee said France needed to maintain "operational superiority of its armed forces in a challenging strategic context" while respecting the rules governing the military, humanitarian law and "fundamental values of our society."
The moral conduct of French soldiers in combat is guided by the Code of the French Soldier. This says while soldiers master their own strength they "respect their opponent and are careful to spare civilians. He obeys orders while respecting laws, customs of war and international conventions...He is aware of global societies and respects their differences."
Implants aren't currently part of the plans, Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said.
She did say future changes in policy are possible as other countries such as the U.S., the U.K. and China are developing augmented fighters.
"It's an opinion which isn't set in stone and will be regularly reassessed in the light of future developments," she said. "But we have to be clear, not everyone has the same scruples as us and we have to prepare ourselves for such a future."
The committee has forbidden any modification that will affect a soldier's ability to manage the use of force or affect their sense of "humanity."
Banned modifications include cognitive implants or changes that affect their reintegration into civilian life.
With more than 260,000 active personnel France's military is the most powerful in the European Union and the world's sixth strongest.
