Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN) is a French elite tactical police unit established in 1973 after the 1972 Munich massacre.
The unit serves as the primary counterterrorism and hostage rescue unit in France and is recognized internationally for its skills. The training received by GIGN operatives is far beyond that of a typical police force, including mandatory parachute training. The selection for GIGN is very tough and requires serving Gendarmerie members with a minimum of 4 years of exemplary service, French citizenship, airborne certification, and age under 34. The 14-month training includes long-range shooting, hand-to-hand combat, and negotiation skills. GIGN’s arsenal includes weapons like Glock 17, HK416, and Remington Model 870. The Gendarmerie is part of the French Armed Forces and a key member of the counterterrorism ATLAS network.
Source: https://greydynamics.com/gign-the-hostage-rescue-primacy-of-the-gendarmerie-intervention-group/
