Go behind the scenes of France's most iconic, secure and largest air base.

For more than a century, the 125 d´Istres air base has stood the test of time and conflict to become a major centre of French defence: 2,500 hectares, 40 kilometres of fences, within which 5,000 soldiers are organised into 70 elite units, and more than 500 buildings. Its missions are constantly evolving and its infrastructures are constantly being updated.

It’s exceptional runway, the longest in Europe, is capable of accommodating the American space shuttle.

In the near future, the base will become the main army hub for repatriation and deployment in foreign operations.

But what all the efforts are converging towards is maintaining the French nuclear deterrent without a hitch. Istres is one of its pillars thanks to its specialty: the in-flight refuelling of combat aircraft.