[4] Established in 1973 and becoming operational in 1974, the GIGN was initially created as a relatively small tactical unit specialized in sensitive hostage situations, but has since grown into a larger force with expanded responsibilities and capabilities.

Since its formation, the GIGN has been involved in over 1,800 missions and has also rescued more than 600 hostages, making it one of the most experienced counter-terrorism units in the world.

[8] GIGN was formed in Maisons-Alfort, near Paris, in 1973, shortly after the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics and other less-known incidents in France resulted in a need for dedicated counterterrorist units in Europe.

[note 5] The change from GSIGN to the new GIGN, an organization reporting directly to the Director-general of the Gendarmerie, was not a simple name swap.

[1][11] In 2009, the Gendarmerie, while remaining part of the French Armed Forces, was attached to the Ministry of the Interior, which already supervised the National Police.

[note 6] On 1 August 2021, the 14 regional GIGN branches were fully integrated in the group's organization as part of a new Force Antennes.

[13] Since its creation, the group has taken part in over 1,800 operations, rescued over 600 hostages and arrested over 1500 suspects,[1] losing four members killed in action and ten in training.

There are several tactical specialties in the group, including: long-range sniping, breaching, observation and reconnaissance, executive protection, freefall parachuting with HALO/HAHO jumps, diving, etc.

The twenty nuclear protection units, called PSPGs (French: Pelotons spécialisés de protection de la Gendarmerie), located on site at each one of the French nuclear power plants, are not a part of GIGN, but operate under its operational control.

The DGGN or his Deputy for Operations can take charge in a major crisis; however, most of the day-to-day missions are conducted in support of local units of the Departmental Gendarmerie.

[1][20] On 9 December 2011, French Defense Minister[note 11] Gérard Longuet, awarded the Cross for Military Valour to GIGN for its participation in operation Harmattan in Libya.

As GIGN was awarded the Cross for Military Valour twice, members of the group are officially allowed to wear the fourragère.