TheFrench Air and Space Force (French:Armée de l'air et de l'espace,pronounced[aʁmed(ə)lɛʁed(ə)lɛspas],lit.'Army of Air and Space') is theair andspace force of theFrench Armed Forces.[1] Formed in 1909 as theService Aéronautique ("Aeronautical Service"), a service arm of theFrench Army, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as theFrench Air Force (Armée de l'air). On 10 September 2020, it assumed its current name, the French Air and Space Force, to reflect an "evolution of its mission" into the area ofouter space.[2]
The number of aircraft in service with the French Air and Space Force varies depending on the source; theMinistry of Armed Forces gives a figure of 658 aircraft in 2014.[3][4] According to 2025 data, this figure includes 207 combat aircraft: 99Dassault Mirage 2000 and 108Dassault Rafale.[5] As of 2021,[update] the French Air and Space Force employs a total of 40,500 regular personnel, with areserve element of 5,187 in 2014.[6]
The founding of theService Aéronautique began in 1909, when the French War Minister approved the purchase of aWright Biplane. The following year, another Wright biplane, aBleriot, and twoFarmans were added to the lone acquisition. On 22 October 1910, GeneralPierre Roques was appointedInspector General of what was becoming referred to as the Cinquieme Arme, or Fifth Service.[8]
In March 1912, the French parliament enacted legislation to establish the air arm. It was projected to consist of three distinct branches based on aircraft missions—reconnaissance, bombing, or countering other aircraft.[8]
France was one of the first states to start building aircraft. At the beginning ofWorld War I, France had a total of 148 planes (eight fromFrench Naval Aviation (Aéronautique Navale)) and 15airships.[9]In August 1914, as France entered World War I, French airpower consisted of 24 squadrons (escadrilles) supporting ground forces, including three squadrons assigned to cavalry units. By 8 October, expansion to 65 squadrons was being planned. By December, the plans called for 70 new squadrons.[8]
Meanwhile, even as procurement efforts scaled up, inventive airmen were trying to use various light weapons against opposing airplanes.Roland Garros invented a crude method of firing a machine gun through the propeller arc by cladding his propeller with metal wedges deflecting any errant bullets. After destroying three German airplanes, Garros came down behind enemy lines on 18 April 1915. His secret weapon was thus exposed, andAnthony Fokker came up with thesynchronization gear thatby July 1, 1915, turned airplanes into flying gun platforms.[10]
"Company of aviators", September 1914, byJules Gervais-CourtellemontFrench aircraft duringWorld War I, flying over German held territory (1915)Nieuport-Delage NiD.29 C.1 fighter used in the early post-WWI period.
On 21 February 1916, theVerdun Offensive began. New weapons demanded new tactics.CommandantCharles de Tricornet de Rose was the original French pilot, having learned to fly in March 1911. This experienced flier was given a free hand to select pilots and airplanes for a new unit tasked with keeping German observation craft from over the French lines. Thead hoc unit commandeered all availableMorane-Saulniers andNieuport 11s, as well as the 15 best pilots regardless of posting. Thisad hoc unit patrolling the skies over Verdun was the first FrenchGroupement de Chasse. TheGroupement was successful despite Tricornet's death in a mishap. Under the leadership of new commander Captain Auguste de Reverand, suchflying aces asGeorges Guynemer,Charles Nungesser, andAlbert Deullin began their careers.[11]
Encouraged by the success of their originalGroupement, the French massed several squadrons for theBattle of the Somme. The burgeoning French aircraft inventory afforded the formation ofGroupement de Combat de la Somme under CaptainFelix Brocard. TheGroupement was formed on 1 July 1916 with a posting of four Nieuport squadrons:Squadron N.3,N.26,N.73, andN.103. Three other squadrons--Squadron N.37,N.62, andN.65 were temporarily attached at various times.[11]
On 19 October 1916, three fixedGroupes de Combat were established, each to consist of four squadron. Numbered11,12, and13, they were only the first threeGroupements.[11]
During March 1917,Groupe de Combat 14 andGroupe de Combat 15 were formed. Again, each newGroupe was assigned four Nieuport fighter squadrons; again, each was sent to support a different Frenchfield army.[11]
On 10 January 1918,Groupe de Combat 16 was formed from fourSPAD squadrons. In February, five moreGroupe de Combats were founded from SPAD squadrons:Groupes de Combats number 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. The various Nieuport models were now being phased out as the new SPADs filled the inventories of the French.[12]
With theGroupes success, the French were encouraged to amass airpower into still larger tactical units. On 4 February 1918,Escadre de Combat No. 1 was created out ofGroupe de Combat 15,Groupe de Combat 18, andGroupe de Combat 19. It was followed byEscadre de Combat No. 2, formed on the 27th fromGroupe de Combat 11,Groupe de Combat 13, andGroupe de Combat 17. Eachgroupe would be stocked with 72 fighters.[13]
Theescadres were not the end of the French accumulation of air power. On 14 May 1918, they were grouped into theDivision Aerienne. As bombing aircraft were also being concentrated into larger units, the new division would also containEscadre de Bombardement No. 12 andEscadre de Bombardement No. 13. The bombing units were both equipped with 45Breguet 14 bombers. The last addition to the new division was five protection squadrons, operating 75Caudron R.11 gunships to fly escort for the Breguets.[13]
On 25 June 1918,Groupe de Combat 22 was founded.Groupe de Combat 23 followed soon thereafter. A couple of night bombardmentgroupes were also founded.[14]
Then, on 15 July 1918, the Division was committed to theSecond Battle of the Marne.[15] From then on, whether in whole or in part, theDivision Aerienne fought until war's end. By the time of theBattle of Saint-Mihiel, the French could commit 27 fighter squadrons to the effort, along with reconnaissance and bombing squadrons. The 1,137 airplanes dedicated to the battle were the most numerous used in a World War I battle.[16]
When the 11 November 1918 armistice came, French air power had expanded to 336 squadrons, 74 of which were SPAD fighter squadrons. France had 3,608 planes in service.[9] Confirmed claims of 2,049 destroyed enemy airplanes included 307 that had been brought down within French lines. French airmen had also destroyed 357observation balloons.[16] However, 5,500pilots andobservers were killed out of the 17,300 engaged in the conflict, amounting to 31%.[17] A 1919 newspaper article reported that the French Air Force had suffered losses of 61%.[18]
Dewoitine D.510 monoplane fighters from the mid-1930s
Military aeronautics was established as a "special arm" by the law of 8 December 1922.[19] It remained under the auspices of theFrench Army. It was not until 2 July 1934, that the "special arm" became an independent service and was totally independent.[20]
The initial air arm was the cradle ofFrench military parachuting, responsible for the first formation of theAir Infantry Groups (Groupements de l'Infanterie de l'Air) in the 1930s, out of which the Air Parachute Commandos (commandos parachutistes de l'air) descended.
The French Air Force maintained a continuous presence across theFrench colonial empire, particularly from the 1920s to 1943.[21][22]
After 1945, France rebuilt its aircraft industry. The French Air Force participated in severalcolonial wars during the Empire such asFrench Indochina after the Second World War. Since 1945, the French Air Force was notably engaged inIndochina (1945–1954).[23][24][25]
Accordingly, from 1962, the French political leadership shifted its military emphasis tonuclear deterrence, implementing a complete reorganisation of the Air Force, with the creation of four air regions and seven major specialised commands, among which were theStrategic Air Forces Command, COTAM, the Air Command of Aerial Defense Forces (Commandement Air des Forces de Défense Aérienne, CAFDA), and theForce aérienne tactique (FATac).[38] In 1964, the Second Tactical Air Command was created inNancy to take command of air units stationed in France but not assigned toNATO. TheMilitary Air Transport Command had previously been formed in February 1962 from theGroupement d'Unités Aériennes Spécialisées. Also created in 1964 was theEscadron desFusiliers Commandos de l'Air (EFCA), seemingly grouping all FCA units. TheDassault Mirage IV, the principal French strategic bomber, was designed to strike Soviet positions as part of the Frenchnuclear triad.
CFAS had twosquadrons ofS2 andS-3 IRBMs at the Plateau d'Albion, six squadrons ofMirage IVAs (atMont de Marsan, Cazaux, Orange, Istres, St Dizier, and EB 3/94 atLuxeuil – Saint-Sauveur Air Base), and three squadrons ofC-135F, as well as a training/reconnaissance unit, CIFAS 328, atBordeaux. The tactical air command included wings EC 3, EC 4, EC 7, EC 11, EC 13, and ER 33, with a total of 19 squadrons of Mirage III, Jaguars, two squadrons flying theMirage 5F (EC 2/13 and EC 3/13, both atColmar), and a squadron flying theMirage F.1CR. CoTAM counted 28 squadrons, of which ten were fixed-wing transport squadrons, and the remainder helicopter and liaison squadrons, at least five of which were overseas. CAFDA numbered 14 squadrons mostly flying theMirage F.1C. Two other commands had flying units, theAir Force Training Command, and the Air Force Transmissions Command, with four squadrons and three trials units.
The French Air Force entered a phase of inventory replacement and expansion. The Air Force ordered theAirbus A400M military transport aircraft, then in development. By November 2016, 11 had already been delivered to ET00.061 at Orleans-Bricy, and integration of the newDassault Rafale multi-role jet fighter was underway; the first 20-aircraft squadron became operational in 2006 atSaint-Dizier.
On 13 July 2019, PresidentEmmanuel Macron announced the creation of a space command, which would come into being within the French Air Force by September 2019, and the transformation of the French Air Force into the French Air and Space Force.[43] According to Defense MinisterFlorence Parly, France reserves the right to arm French satellites withlasers for defensive purposes.[44]
The official renaming occurred on 24 July 2020, with the new Air and Space Force logo unveiled on 11 September 2020.[2]
On 26 July 2023, FASF conducted its first ever joint fighter exercise withJapan, continuing its defense ties between the two countries.[45]
Général d'armée aérienneAndré Lanata, former chief of staff of the French Air Force
TheChief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (CEMAAE) determines French Air and Space Forcedoctrines application and advises theChief of the Defence Staff (CEMA) on the deployment, manner, and use of the Air and Space Force. They are responsible for the preparation and logistic support of the French Air and Space Force. The CEMAA is assisted by a Deputy Chief, theMajor Général de l'Armée de l'Air, who is the Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Forces Staff. Finally, the CEMAA is assisted by the Inspectorate of the French Air and Space Force (IAA) and by the French Air and Space Force Health Service Inspection (ISSAA).
The Air and Space Force is organized in accordance with Chapter 4, Title II, Book II of the Third Part of theFrench Defense Code [fr] (French:code de la Défense), which replaced decree n° 91-672 dated 14 July 1991.
The Air and Space Force headquarters, employing 150 personnel, are located alongside theChief of the Defence Staff's offices (EMA) and the Army and Navy headquarters at theBalard armed forces complex in Paris. The new site replaced the formerParis Air Base (BA 117) which served as air staff headquarters until 25 June 2015.
The Air and Space Army Staff (État-major de l'Armée de l'air et de l'espace) is the highest service-specific authority of the French air force. It is formally under the command of the Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force (CEMAAE), but the organisation is under the direct authority of his deputy, the Major General of the Air and Space Force (major général de l'Armée de l'air et de l'espace (MGAAE), in the French military tradition a 'Major General' is not a military rank, but the designation of Chief of Staff of a high command.)
Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force (CEMAAE), the chief of the French Air and Space Force, officer in the rank of General of Air Army (a full General equivalent)
Director of the Aeronautical Industrial Service (Directeur du Service industriel de l’aéronautique (SIAé)) in charge of the overhaul of all aerial vehicles of the French Armed Forces (the Air and Space Force, the naval aviation, the army aviation and the gendarmerie), officer in the rank of a General Engineer for Armament First Class (a Major-General equivalent)
Commandant of the Air and Space Gendarmerie (Commandant de la gendarmerie de l'air et de l'espace (GAE)), the chief of the French Air and Space Force military police force, officer in the rank of a General of Brigade (a Brigadier General equivalent)
Major General of the Air and Space Force (MGAAE), officer in the rank of General of Air Corps (a Lieutenant-General equivalent)
directly subordinate:
forces (formerly part of the Air Forces Command. With its transformation into the Territorial Command of the Air and Space Force they were detached and put under direct subordination of the Chief of Staff):
Commandant of the Air Force Brigade of Fighter Aviation (BAAC) (Nancy – Ochey Air Base) (French:Brigade Aérienne de l'Aviation de Chasse (BAAC)), is responsible for all air defense, air-to-ground and reconnaissance aircraft (includingDassault Rafale, Mirage 2000-5F, Mirage 2000B/C/D,Transall C-160 Gabriel). Commanded by an officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade (a Brigadier General equivalent). With the creation of the BACEA on the basis of the former BACE brigade, its surface-to-air missile units were transferred to the fighter brigade.[48]
Fighter units:
2nd Fighter Wing (2e escadre de chasse)(BA 116 Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur Air Base)
30th Fighter Wing (30e escadre de chasse)(BA 118 Mont-de-Marsan Air Base)
Fighter and Experimentation Squadron 1/30Côte d'Argent (Escadron de chasse et d'expérimentation 1/30 Côte d'Argent, the French Air and Space Force's fighter OEU squadron flying Rafale and Mirage 2000)
Fighter Squadron 2/30Normandie-Niémen (Régiment de chasse 2/30 Normandie-Niémen, flying Rafale, calledFighter Regimentout of tradition)
Fighter Squadron 3/30Lorraine (Escadron de Chasse 3/30 Lorraine, flying Rafale)
5th Fighter Wing (5e escadre de chasse)(BA 115 Orange-Caritat Air Base)
Fighter Squadron 1/5Vendée (Escadron de chasse 1/5 Vendée, flying Rafale)
8th Fighter Wing (8e escadre de chasse)(BA 120 Cazaux Air Base)
Training Squadron 3/8Côte d'Or (Escadron d'entraînement 3/8 Côte d'Or, the French Air and Space Force's aggressor squadron flying Alpha Jet)
Separate squadrons:
Rafale Conversion Squadron 3/4Aquitaine (Escadron de Transformation Rafale 3/4 Aquitaine (the combined air force / navy Rafale OCU based at the Base aérienne 113 Saint-Dizier, attached to the Strategic Air Forces Command's 4th Fighter Wing and carrying on the traditions of combat and training strategic bomber units, but part of the BAAC)
Fighter Squadron 3/11Corse (Escadron de chasse 3/11 Corse (Mirage 2000-5F squadron, based at BA 188 Djibouti Air Base, carrying on the long standing French-Djibouti military co-operation)
Fighter Squadron 1/7Provence (Escadron de chasse 1/7 Provence (Rafale squadron permanently deployed to Base aérienne 104 Al Dhafra, the French facility at the UAE's Al Dhafra Air Base)
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance units:
33rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Attack Wing (33e escadre de surveillance, de reconnaissance et d'attaque) (BA 709 Cognac-Châteaubernard Air Base)
UAV Squadron 1/33Belfort (Escadron de drones 1/33 Belfort, operational General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper squadron)
UAV Squadron 2/33Savoie (Escadron de drones 2/33 Savoie, operational General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper squadron)
OCU UAV Squadron 3/33Moselle (Escadron de Transformation Opérationnelle Drones 3/33 Moselle, the OCU General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper squadron)
surface-to-air missile units(each ADSA squadron is composed of two batteries of SAMP/T and one battery of Crotale NG SAMs):
Air Defence Surface-to-Air Wing – 1st Air Defence Artillery Regiment (Escadre sol-air de défense aérienne – 1er régiment d'artillerie de l'air), based atAvord Air Base (BA 702)
Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 02.950"Sancerre" (Escadron de défense sol-air 02.950 "Sancerre")
Technical Support Surface-to-Air Squadron (Escadron de soutien technique sol-air 2E.950)
Air Defence Surface-to-Air Training Center (Centre de formation de la défense sol-air 14.950)
Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 01.950"Crau" (Escadron de défense sol-air 01.950 "Crau") (Base aérienne 125 Istres-Le Tubé)
Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 05.950"Barrois" (Escadron de défense sol-air 05.950 "Barrois") (Base aérienne 113 Saint-Dizier-Robinson)
Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 12.950"Tursan" (Escadron de défense sol-air 12.950 "Tursan") (Base aérienne 118 Mont-de-Marsan)
Commandant of the Air Force Brigade of Special Forces (BFSA) (Orange – Caritat Air Base). Air Force Special Forces Brigade (Brigade des forces spéciales air (BFSA)) was created in 2020 on the basis of the former Air Force Security Forces Brigade. In the 2020–2021 period the French Air and Space Force overhauled the force structure of its security and firefighting and rescue units, which were previously grouped together in theAir Force Security and Intervention Forces Brigade [fr] (BAFSI)).[49] The brigade combines the aerial special operations assets of the air force (the fixed-wingEscadron de transport 3/61 'Poitou' and the rotary wingEscadron d'hélicoptères 1/67 'Pyrénées'), the land warfare special unitsAir Parachute Commando No. 10 (covert and direct action), No. 20 (installation defence) and No. 30 (combat search and rescue), the security companies of the various air bases (les escadrons de protection), The Operational Training Center for [Land Warfare] Air Force Combatants (Centre de préparation opérationnel des combattants de l'Armée de l'air (CPOCAA)) at theRochefort Air Base [fr] as well as the air force's Survival and Rescue Training Center (Centre de formation à la survie et au sauvetage (CFSS)) atCazaux Air Base.[50] Commanded by an officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade.
Commandant of the Centre for Strategic Aerospatial Studies (CESA) (Paris), officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade
Physician Assistant on Health Matters to the MGAAE (médecin adjoint santé auprès du MGAAE)
Air and Space Force Staff (État-major de l'armée de l'air et de l'espace)[51]
Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programmes (sous-chef d'état-major Plans-Programme (SCPP)) in charge of preparation of armaments and equipment programmes, officer in the rank of a General of Air Division (a Major-General equivalent)
Deputy Chief of Staff for Activities (sous-chef d'état-majoractivité (SCAc)) in charge of operational readiness, application and support of the forces, training directives and personnel instruction, officer in the rank of a General of Air Division
Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance and Synthesis (sous-chef d'état-majorperformance-synthèse (SCPS)) for the supervision of Air Force cross-functional projects, information management, performance management and control of Air Force activities, officer in the rank of a General of Air Division
General Officer in Charge of External Relations (officier général délégué auxrelations extérieures (OGDRE)) in charge of bilateral cooperation with foreign air forces and support for exports, officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade (a Brigadier General equivalent)
General Officer for Nuclear Matters and Security (officier généralnucléaire et sécurité (OGNS)) in charge of Air Force policy on the control and prevention of nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical (NRBC) risks, officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade
General Officer for Cybersecurity (officier général au numérique (OGNUM)), officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade
General Officer for Maintenance in Opetrational Condition (officier général au maintien en condition opérationnelle aéronautique (OGMCO)), officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade
General Officer for Very High Altitudes (officier général au très haute altitude (OGTRA)) in charge of exploitation of the space domain, officer in the rank of a General of Air Brigade
Inspector of the Air and Space Force (IAAE), officer in the rank of General of Air Corps
Director for Human Resources of the Air and Space Force (DRHAAE), officer in the rank of General of Air Corps
Territorial Commander of the Air and Space Force (CTAAE, formerly the Air Forces Command[52]), officer in the rank of General of Air Corps
Commander of Air Defence and Air Operations (CDAOA), officer in the rank of General of Air Corps
Commander of Strategic Air Forces (CFAS), officer in the rank of General of Air Corps
Commander of Space Command (CDE), officer in the rank of General of Air Division
Air Defence and Air Operations Staff (French:État-major de la défense aérienne et des opérations aériennes) composed of the:
Air Force Operational Staff (French:État-major opérationnel Air (EMO-Air)) and the
Permanent readiness command center (French:Centre de permanence Air), both situated at the Balard complex (the French Air and Space Force main HQ)
direct reporting units:
Air Force Operations Brigade (French:Brigade aérienne des opérations (BAO)) (all units at BA 942 Lyon-Mont Verdun air base)
National Air Operations Center (French:Centre national des opérations aériennes (CNOA))
Core Joint Force Air Component HQ (Core JFAC HQ)
Analysis and Simulation Center for Air Operations Preparation (French:Centre d’analyse et de simulation pour la préparation aux opérations aériennes (CASPOA))
Air Force Operational Awareness and Planning Brigade (French:Brigade aérienne connaissance-anticipation (BACA))
Air Force Intelligence Center (French:Centre de renseignement air (CRA)) at BA 942 Lyon-Mont Verdun air base
National Target Designation Center (French:Centre national de ciblage (CNC)) at BA 110 Creil-Senlis air base
Land-based Electronic Warfare Squadron (French:Escadron électronique sol (EES)) at BA 123 Orléans-Bricy air base
Intelligence Training Squadron 20.530 (French:Escadron de formation au renseignement (EFR) 20.530) (Metz), training air and space force and naval officers, integrated in the Joint Intelligence Training Center (CFIAR) inStrasbourg[54]
Air Force Brigade for Permanent Aerial Security Readiness (Brigade aérienne de la posture permanente de la sûreté aérienne (BAPPS)), based at BA 942 Lyon-Mont Verdun air base, created at the end of 2020 and in charge of air policing[55]
Air Force Brigade for Airspace Control (Brigade aérienne du contrôle de l'espace aérien (BACEA)), based at BA 942 Lyon-Mont Verdun air base,[56] created in 2023 in line with Plan Altaïr for teh reorganisation of the French Air and Space Force.[57] Created by the merger of the former Airspace Control Brigade (Brigade Aérienne de Contrôle de l'Espace (BACE)) and the Information and Communication Systems component (Systèmes d'information et de communication) of the Air Force Brigade for Aerial Maneuver Support (Brigade aérienne d'appui à la manœuvre aérienne). The BACE was responsible for (Airborne early warning and control aircraft, and ground radar, ground-based air defense systems and missile defence, communication networks) airspace surveillance, constituting theSystème de Commandement et de Conduite des Opérations Aérospatiales). Since 2007 the command, control and information systems network of the air and space force have been is integrated into theJoint Directorate of Infrastructure Networks and Information Systems (DIRISI)). With the creation of the BACEA the surface-to-air missile squadrons were transferred to the Air Force Fighter Aviation Brigade. The annual post-statement of the Air Defence and Air Operations Command (COMMANDEMENT DE LA DÉFENSE AÉRIENNE ET DES OPÉRATIONS AÉRIENNES)[58] describes the new brigade as a formation of 57 subordinated units and its HQ in Bordeaux, fulfilling the following key tasks: tactical control of air assets (contrôle tactique), aerial transit control of air assets (contrôle en route), air traffic control (contrôle de circulation aérienne), support of the information and communication systems of the air force (soutien des Sic Aéronautiques), training and expertise in air traffic management (formation et expertise ATM), forward deployment of information and communication systems and command and control assets (projection SIC et du C2 tactique).
detection and control centers:
Detection and Control Center 07.927 (French:Centre de détection et de contrôle (CDC))Tours –Cinq-Mars-la-Pile (Codename:Raki,AOR: Northwestern France)
Detection and Control Center 04.930 (French:Centre de détection et de contrôle (CDC))Mont-de-Marsan (Codename:Marina,AOR: Southwestern France)
Detection and Control Center 05.942 (French:Centre de détection et de contrôle (CDC))Lyon – Mont Verdun (Codename:Rambert,AOR: Southeastern France)
airborne airspace surveillance units:
36th Airborne Command and Control Wing (36e escadre de commandement et de conduite aéroportés (36e EC2A)), based atAvord Air Base (BA 702)
3 surveillance and air defence radar installations equipped with theGround Master 406 radar: années 2010 trois Ground Master 406, le premier installé en Guyane, le second sur la base aérienne de Nice en 2017 et le troisième sur la Base aérienne 942 and at Lyon-Mont Verdun Air Base (BA 942) in 2019.
12 surveillance and air defence radar installations equipped with theGround Master 403T radar in metropolitan France, re-equipped in the 2019–2022 period.
airspace controle of military air bases:
units for local aerospace surveillance of the immediate environs of air bases (CLA) ;
approach radars and landing aide systems
surface-to-air signals units in metropolitan France (METEOR system, in process of replacement by the SRSA system)
Expeditionary Command and Control Air Force Wing 00.550 (Escadre aérienne de commandement et de conduite projetable 00.550 (EAC2P 00.550)), based at Évreux-Fauville Air Base (BA 105) and formed on August 27, 2015, on the basis of the formerGroupement tactique des systèmes d’information et de communication (GTSICAéro).
Wing Command (Commandement d'escadre 00.550)
Tactical Telecommunications Systems Squadron 11.550 (Escadron des systèmes de télécommunication tactiques 11.550)
Tactical Surveillance Systems Squadron 12.550 (Escadron des systèmes de surveillance tactiques 12.550)
Tactical Information Systems Squadron 13.550 (Escadron des systèmes d’information tactiques 13.550)
Tactical Training and Expertise Squadron 14.550 (Escadron d'expertise et d'instruction tactiques 14.550)
Aerial Refuel and Strategic Transport Squadron 01.031"Bretagne" (Escadron de ravitaillement en vol et de transport stratégique 01.031 Bretagne), flying theAirbus A330 MRTT
Aerial Refuel and Strategic Transport Squadron"Esterel" (Escadron de ravitaillement en vol et de transport stratégique 02/031 Estérel), presidential air transport with theAirbus A330
Aeronautical Technical Support Squadron 15.031"Camargue" (Escadron de soutien technique aéronautique 15.031 Camargue)
Specialised Technical Support Squadron 15.093 (Escadron de soutien technique spécialisé 15.093)
Territorial Command of the Air and Space Army (CTAAE), formerly the Air Forces Command, transformed into the CTAAE on March 22, 2023[59]),Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Base, as an organic command, prepares units to fulfill operational missions. From September 2013, the former organic commands CFA and CSFA were merged into CFA.
Air Force Firefighters Brigade (Brigade des pompiers de l’air (BPA)), formed in 2021. It brings together the rescue and firefighting personnel (calledincident technicians and grouped intosquadrons of company size) of the Air Force into 25 units of around 1 500 personnel. HQ is inCazaux Air Base (BA 120);[60]
Operational Support Air Force Wing 00.513 (Escadre aérienne d'appui aux opérations 00.513 (EAAO 00.513)), based at Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Base (BA 106) and formed on November 24, 2021, on the basis of the formerGroupement aérien d’appui aux opérations (GAAO).
Wing Command (Commandement d'escadre 00.513)
Operational Infrastructure Squadron 11.513 (Escadron d'infrastructure en opérations 11.513)
Operational Infrastructure Squadron 13.513 (Escadron d'infrastructure en opérations 13.513)
Operational Infrastructure Squadron 15.513 (Escadron d'infrastructure en opérations 15.513)
Expeditionary Training Squadron 17.513 (Escadron d'instruction au déploiement 17.513)
25th Air Force Engineer Regiment (25ème Régiment du Génie de l’Air), army regiment permanently attached to the air force. Based atIstres-Le Tubé Air Base (BA 125).
2nd Operational Air Force Engineer Company (2e Compagnie opérationnelle du génie de l’air (2e COGA)), based atMont-de-Marsan Air Base (BA 118).
4th Operational Air Force Engineer Company (4e Compagnie opérationnelle du génie de l’air (4e COGA)), based at Avord Air Base (BA 702).
Aeronautical Installations Air Force Groupment (Groupement aérien des installations aéronautiques (GAIA)), based at Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Base (BA 106)
Operational Preparation and Employment Division (Division préparation opérationnelle et emploi (DPOE)),Hexagone Balard, Paris
Space Operations Air Force Brigade (Brigade aérienne des opérations spatiales (BAOS)), based at Toulouse Space Center. By 2025 the CMOS and the COSMOS will relocate to Toulouse Space Center as well. In preparation for this the French Air and Space Force has formed the military installation FA 101 (Formation administrative (FA101)) on the premises of the space center.[63]
Space Operations Command and Control Center (Centre de Commandement et de Contrôle des opérations spatiales (C3OS)), based at Toulouse Space Center
Satellite Observation Military Center 01.092"Bourgogne" (French:Centre militaire d’observation par satellites (CMOS) 01.092 Bourgogne), based atCreil-Senlis Air Base (BA 110)
Operational Center for Military Surveillance of Space Objects (French:Centre opérationnel de surveillance militaire des objets spatiaux (COSMOS)), based atLyon – Mont Verdun Air Base (BA 942)
The official designation of the service was changed in July 2019 from Air Army (Armée de l'Air) to Air and Space Army (Armée de l'air et de l'espace), when the previous joint Inter-Service Space Command (Commandement interarmées de l'espace (CIE)) under the French General Staff was transformed into theSpace Command (Commandement de l'espace (CDE)) and absorbed into the Air and Space Force as its fourth command.
All air regions were disestablished on 1 January 2008. In the 1960s, there were five air regions (RA). The number was then reduced to four by a decree of 30 June 1962 with the disestablishment of the 5th Aerial Region (French North Africa). The decree of 14 July 1991 reduced the air regions to three: « RA Atlantic », « RA Mediterranean » and « RA North-East ». On 1 July 2000 was placed into effect an organization consisting of « RA North » (RAN) and « RA South » (RAS). The territorial division was abolished by decree n°2007-601 of 26 April 2007.[64][65]
From 2008 to 2010 the French Air Force underwent the "Air 2010" streamlining process. The main targets of this project were to simplify the command structure, to regroup all military and civil air force functions and to rationalise and optimise all air force units. Five major commands, were formed, instead of the former 13, and several commands and units were disbanded.[66]
The Directorate of Human Resources of the Air and Space Force (DRH-AAE) recruits, trains, manages, administers, and converts personnel of the Air and Space Force. Since January 2008, the DRH-AAE groups the former Air Force directorate of military personnel (DPMMA) and some tasks of the formerAir Force Training Command. The directorate is responsible for Air and Space Force recruitment via the recruiting bureau.
French joint defence service organisations, supporting the air and space force, include:[46]
The "AirCommissariat" (French:Commissariat de l'Air) between 1947 and 2007, then "Financial and General Administration Service" (French:" Service de l'Administration Générale et des Finances " (SAGF)) from 2008 until 2009, and finally the "Commissariat Service of the Armed Forces [fr]" (SCA) (French:Service du Commissariat des Armées) since 2010, have successively been designated as administrative services of the French Air and Space Force. TheCommissioners as well as Civilians of this service carry out : operations support, individual legal rights, judicial, internal control accountability, financial and purchase executions, and support and protection of the combatant.[67]
Commanded by a Lieutenant-colonel or Colonel, theEscadre is a formation that assembles various units and personnel dedicated to the same mission. In 1932, the "regiment" designation was replaced with "Escadre", which until 1994 was a unit consisting of the following:
units (escadrons or groups) generally equipped with the same type of aircraft or at least assuring the same type of mission
units of maintenance and support.
Escadres (wings) were dissolved from 1993 as part of theArmées 2000 reorganisation, were reestablished in 2014.[68] The problems caused by having the aircraft maintenance units not responsible to the flying squadrons they supported eventually forced the change.
FourEscadres were reformed in the first phase:[68]
The French Air and Space Force announced in August 2015 that unit numbering, moves of affected aircraft, and the transfer of historic material (flags, traditions and names) would be completed in 2016.[68]
Commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, the Escadron is the basic operational unit. This term replaced that of Group as of 1949 with the aim to standardize usage with the allies ofNATO who were using the term 'squadron'. However, the term Group did not entirely disappear: the term was retained for the Aerial Group 56 Mix Vaucluse, specialized in Special Operations or Group –Groupe de ravitaillement en vol 2/91 Bretagne which is still carrying the same designation since 2004.[citation needed]
A fighter squadron (escadron) can number some twenty machines, spread in general in three Escadrilles. A Transport Escadron (Escadron de Transport) can theoretically count a dozenTransall C-160, however, numbers are usually much less for heavier aircraft (threeAirbus A310-300 and twoAirbus A340-200 for theEscadron de Transport 3/60 Estérel).[citation needed]
The squadrons have retained the designations of the former Escadres disbanded during the 1990s. For instance:Transport Escadron 1/64 Béarn [fr] (more specifically Transport Escadron 01.064 Béarn), which belonged to the 64th Transport Escadre (French:64e Escadre de Transport) during the dissolution of the later (recreated in August 2015). Not all escadrons (Squadrons) are necessarily attached to an Escadre.[citation needed]
The Escadrille (flight) has both an administrative and operational function, even of the essential operational control is done at the level of the Esacdron. A pilot is assigned to the Escadrille, however the equipment and material devices, on the other hand, are assigned to the Escadron. Since the ESTA (Aeronautic Technical Support Escadrons) came into being, material devices and the mechanics have been assigned directly to the base then put at disposition of the based Escadrons.[citation needed]
The Escadrilles adopted the traditions of the prestigious units out of which most (SPA and SAL),[note 1] are those traditions of the First World War.[citation needed]
Protection squadrons (French:Escadrons de protection) (EP)
Air Parachute Commando 10 (French:Commando parachutiste de l'air) (CPA 10)
Air Parachute Commando 20 (CPA 20)
Air Parachute Commando 30 (CPA 30)
Protection Squadrons protect airbases inside and outside the national territory, and in exterior operations as well.
The CPAs carry out common missions, as well as specialized tasks including intervention and reinforcement of protection at the profit of sensible points " air " inside and outside the national territory.
Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms andFrench air and space defence radar systems. It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, operational centres, warehouses, workshops, and schools. Both in France and abroad, bases have similar infrastructure to provide standardised support.
The French Air and Space Force has, as of 1 August 2014:
Within the metropolitan territory of France, 27 airbases, out of the which 18 aeronautical platform with perceived runways and 5 Bases non-platform, two schools, 3 air detachments and " one attached air element " (EAR).
Beyond the metropole/Europe, 7 Aerial Bases or permanent detachments in overseas or country.
A French Air and Space ForceDassault Rafale B atRIAT in 2009Crotale missile-launchers of the Air Defense Ground-to-Air Squadron of the French Air and Space Force
Some French airbases house radar units (e.g. Lyon, Mont-Verdun, Drachenbronn, Cinq-Mars-la-Pile, Nice, Mont-Agel) to carry out air defence radar surveillance and air traffic control. Others house material warehouses or command posts. Temporary and semi-permanent foreign deployments include transport aircraft atDushanbe (Tajikistan,Operation Héraclès), and fighter aircraft inN'Djamena (Tchad,Opération Épervier), among others.
As swift as the French Air and Space Force operates, the closure of aerial bases is more constant and immediate, having known a strong acceleration since the 1950s. An air base commander has authority over all units stationed on their base. Depending on the units' tasks, this means that they are responsible for approximately 600 to 2500 personnel.
On average, a base, made up of about 1500 personnel (nearly 3500 people including family), provides a yearly economic boost to its area of about 60 million euros. Consequently, determining the sites for air bases constitutes a major part of regional planning.[70]
BA 118Mont-de-Marsan Air Base. Home to 52×Rafale B andRafale C. Home of CEAM, the Air and Space Force military experimentation and trials organisation, Air defence radar command reporting centre, and the air traffic control and air defence control training centre.
BA 120Cazaux Air Base, situated South-west of theport city ofBordeaux. Fighter pilot training squadron equipped with 45×Alpha Jet. Air and Space Force airplane stockpile.
The Rafale has undergone continuous evolution since its introduction through cyclical modernization programs. The F2 standard was the first to be delivered to the French Air Force and was introduced in 2006 (the F1 standard representing the first 10 Rafale production units delivered to theFrench Navy as an emergency replacement for itsF-8 Crusader carrier-based fighters). The Rafale F3 entered operational service in 2009 and the F3-R standard in 2018. The Rafale F4 is scheduled to enter operational service in 2025 and the Rafale F5 in the early 2030s.[76][77]
4 Mirage 2000-5F are used by the EC 3/11 Corse, which is based on the BA 188 of Djibouti, the others are used by the GC 1/2 Cigognes (One lost in 2022, the 43/ 2-EJ.This brings the total number of Mirage 2000-5F in service to 26.)
6 Mirage 2000-5F were modified and sent to Ukraine (As Mirage 2000-5FU)
Based on the Beechcraft Super King Air 350 and equipped with sensors dedicated to both image-based intelligence and electromagnetic intelligence (sensors developed by Thales and Sabena Technics). Also scheduled to integrateSafran's Euroflir 410 optronic ball.
1 additional unit on order
Purchase of 8 units in total originally planned but reduced to 3 in 2023. The leasing of additional ISTAR and SIGINT aircraft to complement the 3 VADOR and as an interim solution until the Archange's service entry is now the preferred option.[83]
The first unit, in service since November 2010, is the main transport aircraft of the French President and part of the presidential fleet (7 aircraft in total)
3 additional units were ordered in August 2020 and delivered between November 2020 and November 2022. Already one was converted (F-UJCS), and returned to service inside of the ERVTS 2/31 Estérel, and an other is currently being converted (F-UJCT).[84]
The last six student fighter pilots trained on the Alpha Jet have received their badges in March 2023. The 53 aircraft dedicated to advanced jet training were thus retired and as of April 2024, discussions are taking place with the United Kingdom and Spain for a joint program to replace the jet trainer. The new aircraft is expected by 2032.
Syracuse 4A launched in October 2021 and Syracuse 4B launched in July 2023.
3 satellites originally planned but in April 2023, it was announced the first two satellites would be more than sufficient and that the last, Syracuse 4C (previously scheduled to be launched by 2025), would be cancelled in favor of financing theEuropean Union'sIRIS²satellite internet constellation. It was also announced a program to develop the next generation of communications satellite constellation (Syracuse V) would be launched in the 2024–2030 French Military Planning Law to succeed the Syracuse 4A and Syracuse 4B satellites in the 2030s.[100]
Since the end of theAlgerian War, the French Air and Space Force has comprised about 17 to 19% of theFrench Armed Forces.[105] In 1990, at the end of theCold War, numbers reached 56,400 military personnel under contract, out of which 36,300 were part of conscription and 5,400 civilians.[106]
In 2008, forecasts for personnel of the French Air Force were expected to number 50,000 out of which 44,000 aviators on the horizon in 2014.
In 2010, the number personnel of the French Air Force was reduced to 51,100 men and women (20%) out of which: 13%officers; 55%sous-officier; 29% air military technicians (MTA); 3% volunteers of national service andaspirant volunteers; 6,500 civilians (14%). They form several functions:
Military Air Technicians [fr] having been trained until 1 July 2015 at the Center of Elementary Military Formation (French:" Centre de formation militaire élémentaire ") of theTechnical Instruction School of the French Air and Space Force [fr] of Saintes. Since 1 July 2015, training has taken place at Orange-Caritat Air Base, within the " Operational Combatant Preparation Center of the Air Force " (French:Centre de préparation opérationnelle du combattant de l'Armée de l'air).
Air traffic controllers are trained at the Center of Instruction Control and Air Defense (French:Centre d'Instruction du Contrôle et de la Défense Aérienne).[108]
^Designations of Escadrilles composed of the identifying number of material devices (for instance SPA for escadrille equipped with SPAD, N for Nieuport, SAL for Salmson, etc.) and an order number.
^abcOver the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 84
^abHistory of light aviation of the French Army 1794–2008, Lavauzelle, Collection of History, Memory and Patrimony, Général André Martini, 2005, Paris, pages 36,42,ISBN2-7025-1277-1
^Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, pp. 84–85
^abcdOver the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 85
^Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, pp. 85–86
^abOver the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 86
^Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, pp. 86–87
^Michel L. Martin, Le déclin de l'armée de masse en France. Note sur quelques paramètres organisationnels, Revue française de sociologie, volume 22, number 22-1, year 1981, pages 87–1150035-2969 1981 num 22 1 3390
^Bilan social 90, Editor : Direction de la fonction militaire et du personnel civil, 1990, total pages 62, passage 6 to 8format=PDFArchived 24 September 2015 at theWayback Machine
Olivier, Jean-Marc, (ed.),Histoire de l'armée de l'air et des forces aériennes françaises du XVIIIe siècle à nos jours"[History of the Air Force and French aerial forces since the 18th century to the present], Toulouse, Privat, 2014, 552 p.
Diego Ruiz Palmer, "France's Military Command Structures in the 1990s," in Thomas-Durell Young, Command in NATO After the Cold War: Alliance, National and Multinational Considerations, U.S. Army Strategic Studies Institute, June 1997
Various conventions, treaties, agreements, memorandums, charters or declarations establishing and governing intergovernmental organisations or inter-agency bodies dealing with space affairs
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French Air and Space Force[109]
