French Military Forces

Having started in 1996, there are still two years to go before the French Army completes its process of "restructuration" and professionalization to be funded under the 1997-2002 military programming law. While requiring the retention of a full spectrum of capabilities from warfighting ("coercition des forces") to operations other than war ("maitrise de la violence"), the law's objective has essentially been to change the orientation of the armed forces from one of deterrence to one of action, possessing the attendant rapid external deployment capability needed for crisis prevention. The process will see its army personnel cut from 236,000 troops (including 132,000 conscripts) divided between three corps each of three divisions, to 138,000 mostly regular troops (16,000 officers; 50,000 NCOs; 66,500 other ranks; and 5,500 short-service volunteers) divided for administrative purposes between 10 maneuver brigades (including the Franco-German brigade) and six specialist brigades (logistics, signals, artillery, engineer and intelligence). They will be supported by a 34,000-strong permanent civilian workforce. All told, the planned force levels are intended to be sufficient to support a maximum force of 50,000 troops committed to a major NATO-led (Article V) high-intensity operation in Europe According to Marescaux, there are now three areas of equipment priority, "the first two of which are inexpensive compared with the third." The first priority is information systems, particularly in relation to interoperability of HQs, a European-wide problem. Ideally there would be a single international system, but he said it would be unrealistic to expect it to be French. The second priority is intelligence systems, and the third is "everything that might be required by crisis reaction forces", in the way of protection, precision weaponry and air mobility. Protection covers such things as armored vehicles and ballistic protection (such as the French Army's FELIN soldier modernization system, and the 600 Véhicules de Combat d'Infanterie [VCIs] it is planning to buy at FFr13 million apiece) and air defense (Roland improvements and SAMP). "We are still studying the trade-offs between munitions such as the Bonus and laser-guided projectiles in the class of Krasnopol, or fiber-optic missiles like the TRIFOM project. We are a bit short of support helicopters. The Super Pumas are wearing out faster than anticipated as a result of the higher optempo we now have to deal with. The current programming law does not envisage introduction of the successor NH90 helicopter until 2010, with the first units going to the Navy.   Joint exercises and training have gone up by a factor of three or four, though mostly at operational or strategic levels. Operations are conducted on a joint basis, under the aegis of the joint chiefs of staff (CEMA = Chef d'État Major des Armées), and there has been joint procurement and joint formulation of operational requirements in the last three years .'' In multinational operations we desirably do not operate at levels below a brigade - in low-intensity situations you can mix battalions within a brigade, but at medium level we say the smallest national unit should be a brigade, and in high intensity operations a division." The Franco-German brigade is an exception, being trained for high-intensity warfare. "Most of us know that such mixing is not the most efficient way in operational terms, but it is certainly effective at the political level." Nonetheless it would go to war as a brigade, he said, noting its operational language is now English, and that its fire support arrangements "really work".To judge from the assessments of those foreign contingents alongside which the French Army now serves, French troops have been returning highly creditable performances on operations. These they have achieved despite current upheavals and anomalies, and by their own reckoning they should get better yet - provided the circle of politics, economics,commitments and resources can be squared. Equipment of the French Army : Main Battle Tanks : - Leclerc  The Leclerc was first operational with the French Army in 1992 and with UAE in 1995. Leclerc Mk 2 tanks with improved software and engine control system entered production in 1998. The French Army has over 200 Leclerc MBT s in service and in September 2001 ordered the final tranche of 52, concluding a total order of 406.The principal armament is a gun of 120 mm with a smooth bore and a length of 52 calibers, drawing all types of ammunition with combustible casings with standard NATO. A total of 40 shells can be embarked, including 22 in automatic loading. The secondary armament is one 12.7 mm machine-gun and one 7.62 mm machine-gun in the superstructure. - AMX-30B2   Giat Industries has built and delivered to a dozen armies almost 2,300 AMX 30 main battle tanks, as well as many derivative versions (155 GCT self-propelled howitzers, anti-aircraft missile or gun systems, armoured recovery vehicles, etc.). The AMX 30 B2 is an improved version of the AMX 30, either by rebuilding or by production of new tanks, equipped with an automatic fire control system (COTAC) enabling it to fire a ammunition arrow (Vo 1525 m/s). The tank is well profiled, strongly armed, endowed with a very good mobility and a great autonomy. It is protected only from small gauge weapons and the effects of artillery. The AMX 30 B2 is able to fight in a contaminated atmosphere and to cross in immersion of the water levels 2 depth m (4 m with snorkel). It is intended for all missions requiring operations in traditional or nuclear environments power: direct destruction of the enemy forces, and in priority of the armoured forces immediate and major exploitation of the effects of the others weapons, in particular of the nuclear weapon.It is encased in rolled plates and castings, entirely welded; traditional turret, entirely cast, of very shaped form. Light Tanks : - ERC 90 Sagaie The ERC 90 is a light armoured vehicle with 6 wheels, armed with a 90-mm gun. With good mobility terrestrial and watery, it can fight in contaminated atmosphere and is transportable by air by Transall. It is intended for safe reconnaissance missions in traditional or nuclear environments. It is equiped to carry out anti-tank missions. The case and turret consist of tack welded steel plates: field of fire in direction: 360 field of fire in height: -8 with +15 pointing in site and layer ensured by electric drives. Direction is provided by observation glasses and firing direction by a laser system of telemetry. - AMX 10RC The AMX 10RC is a medium weight reconnaissance vehicle armed with a 105 mm cannon. The vehicle, supplied by Giat, has been in service with the French army since 1980.300 French Army vehicles are being upgraded with new engine and transmission, a battlefield management information system (developed by Giat and EADS company Aerospatiale Matra Systemes), the Galix self-protection system and new PR4G radios from Thales (formerly Thomson-CSF). Deliveries will begin in 2003 and the upgrade is intended to maintain the operational capability of the vehicles until 2015-2020.There are two turret configurations for the AMX 10RC: the TK 105 turret with light 105 mm gun or the TML 105 turret with 105 mm NATO standard gun, both manufactured by Giat Industries. Armoured Personnel Carriers : - AMX VBCI Late last year, the French DGA awarded Giat Industries and Renault Véhicules Industriels a combined development and production contract for 700 new 8 x 8 infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) to operate with the Leclerc tank.To handle this larger programme, Giat Industries and RVI have formed a new company called Satory Military Vehicles.The current French Army name for the ICV is the VBCI. Under current plans, at least 550 will be built, plus 150 command post vehicles. The former will have a combat weight of 26 tonnes and be fitted with the latest Giat Industries Dragar one-person turret, armed with a 25mm cannon and 7.62mm machine gun. In addition to the driver and vehicle commander/gunner, it will carry nine fully equipped troops who will dismount via a power-operated ramp at the hull rear.It is expected that the first prototype of the ICV will be completed in the second half of 2003, with production starting in 2004/2005. - AMX-10P The AMX 10 P is the support and freight vehicle of the mechanized infantry units, and the tank carried squadrons of the combat regiments. This tracked amphibious armoured vehicle transports a group of 9 men in addition to the driver and gunner under turret. It has a great autonomy and an excellent terrestrial and water mobility which allow it, in particular, to cross by its own means a flooded cut. Its armament enables it to intervene effectively against light armoured tanks and low flying aircraft. Protected against weapons from average gauge and the shrapnel of artillery shell, it can fight in contaminated atmosphere. Crew: 2 men (1 conductor and 1 gunner) remain on board after the unloading of a group whose leader also serves as commander of the vehicle. - VAB The VAB (Vehicule de l'Avant Blinde) front-line armoured vehicle is an Infantry Corps tactical armoured vehicle from the Euro Mobilite Division of Giat Industries with headquarters at Versailles in France.The French Army has a fleet of almost 4,000 VAB vehicles.The French Army has constantly carried out VAB enhancement programmes. Experience from combat has lead to the implementation of more than 1,100 improvements resulting in the design of the VAB New Generation (VAB NG).The vehicle can be fitted with a selection of weapon systems including a 12.7 mm or 25 mm Dragar turret, an anti-tank missile launcher turret or a variety of mortar systems. - VBL The Vèhicule Blindè Legèr (VBL) corresponds to a new tactical need with wheels discrete and general-purpose having amphibians and NBC capacities. It is conceived to combine with the agility of the jeep a sufficient protection against the battlefield and the dangers of NBC attack. The VBL is planned for two versions: reconnaissance and anti-tank combat. It must be able to carry out in an autonomous way the missions of reconnaissance and infiltration, and to ensure the environment of the future. The version with anti-tank devices will be capable of shooting MILAN with 6 missiles, 7.62 mm automatic arms with 2000 rounds, or 7.62 mm automatic arms with 3000 rounds. Artillery Systems : - LRM multiple launched rocket system The Lance-Roquettes Multiple (LRM) multiple lanch rocket system is a complete unit including a launcher, adapted ammunition, systems of management and data transmission, as well as specific means of acquisition.The launcher of the LRM can contain twelve rockets, or two ATACMS missiles. A whole of electronic cases specialized in fact a modular system of simple design and easy support.. - AUF 1/2 155mm self-propelled howitzer The 155-mm automatic cannon AUF-1 is intended to equip forces with armoured artillery to ensure the missions of support of direct and indirect fire. The 155-mm gun is assembled from a turret on the chasis of the AMX 30, providing mobility close to that of this battle tank. The range of the gun of 39 calibers makes it possible to reach 23.5 km with normal ammunition and 30 km with wide range ammunition. The system can as well fire all the ammunition of 155 mm, French as foreign. Its normal ammunition is the high-explosive shell with hollow base. - CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzer The Caesar truck mounted artillery system is a 155 mm 52 calibre self-propelled gun developed by Giat Industries based in Versailles, in co-operation with Lohr Industrie of Hangenbieten, France. The system has completed its qualification phase and has been ordered by the French Army, who are to order an initial 5 systems.The Caesar artillery system evolved from the earlier 155 AM F3 automotive gun, which used the chassis of the AMX-13 light tank. Caesar is equipped with all the systems needed for independent operation, a cabin to protect the six man gun crew against shell fragments and small arms fire, an initial ammunition supply of 16 complete rounds and instrumentation for navigation, aiming, ballistic calculations and command aids. The system was specifically designed to meet the fire support requirements of rapid deployment forces. - TRF 1 - 155mm towed artillery The artillery gun 155 TRact頭odel F1, intended to equip regiments of infantry, is characterized by good strategic mobility, great fire power, and a simple implementation. This rapid-fire 155 mm gun is a double trail configuration with a swivelling platform. Its barrel of 40 calibers is the same one as that is used on the 155 mm AUF vehicle.The maximum range is of 24 km with the high-explosive shells Mle F1, 30 km are envisaged with ammunition with extended range.The gun can fire all French ammunition as well as foreign rounds. Air-Defense : - Roland 2MR Trigat The Roland short range air defence missile system is produced by Euromissile. Roland entered service with the French Army in 1977, and is in service with ten countries.French Army systems are mounted on vehicles based on the AMX-30 main battle tank.The Roland system is effective against air threats from extremely low to medium altitude. It is available as a standalone weapon system on a single vehicle or as an airliftable shelter, Roland Carol. Roland Carol has been in production since 1995 with 20 systems delivered to the French Army. Helicopters : - Tiger HAP/HAC The Tiger helicopter is being developed in three configurations, HAC (French) and UHT (German) anti-tank helicopters and a combat support helicopter designated HAP for the French Army. Tiger is being built by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of the EADS.France has ordered 80 aircraft (70 combat support and 10 antitank), with deliveries to commence in 2003.Total procurement is planned to be 215.Both Tiger HAC and UHT anti-tank helicopters have an Osiris mast-mounted sight from SFIM, with infrared charge coupled device (IRCCD) camera and laser rangefinder. There is a nose-mounted forward looking infra-red (FLIR) with a 40 x 30 degree field of view.Tiger can be equipped with four MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) MISTRAL or Raytheon Stinger air-to-air missiles.The Tiger is armed with Euromissile HOT 3 and Euromissile TRIGAT LR anti-tank missiles, fired by the gunner.The combat support Tiger helicopter for the French Army (Tigre HAP) is equipped with a 30 mm AM-30781automatic cannon from Giat. Rate of fire is 750 rounds per minute. Tigre HAP also carries four Mistral missiles and two pods each carrying twenty two SNEB 68 mm rockets. - AS341 Gazelle The Eurocopter/Aerospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle is a French built light utility helicopter which was first flown in 1967. Military missions include attack, antitank, antihelicopter, reconnaissance, utility, transport, and training. Of the current service types, the Gazelles have the most teeth; the ALAT operates the type with the Mistral air-to-air missile, the HOT anti-tank weapon and large caliber cannon.  Almost all Gazelles are operated by the Force D'Action Rapidae which is subdivided into regiments, which in turn are split into combat, anti-tank and transport flights.  - AS555 Fennec The AS 550 C3 is the combat version of the single-engine Fennec. It is fitted with sliding doors, a raised landing gear, an instrument panel adapted to tactical flight and provisions for night flight with night vision goggles. It can be fitted with axial weapons such as a 20-mm gun, pod-mounted rocket launchers, a gun, a side-firing machine gun, or in the anti-tank or air-air version, it can carry 4 missiles. The AS 555 UN and AS 555 AN are the land versions of the twin-engine Fennec. The AS 555 UN is particularly intended for reconnaissance/observation missions, IFR training. The AS 555 AN is the armed version. It can be fitted with the same weapons equipping the AS 550 C3. - AS532 UL Cougar/HORIZON  AS532 Cougar      Horizon The Cougar was designed to provide high performance, ease of deployment, low operating cost, comfort, plus high mission readiness.A multirole helicopter, the Cougar can be armed with machine-guns and pod-mounted cannons, with rockets. AS 532 Cougar Mk I UL/AL is the "long" version which can carry up to 25 commandos. The Horizon system, Helicoptere d'Observation Radar et d'Investigation sur Zone, is operational with the French Army. The helicopter surveillance system was originally developed to counter any possible threat by the tank fleets of the Warsaw Pact countries. - SA 330 Puma The twin-engined SA 330 Puma was developed initially to meet a French Army requirement for a medium-sized helicoptere de manoeuvre, capable of operating by day and night in all weathers and climates.The payload exceeded that of the specification, the aircraft being capable of carrying 18 troops with full individual armament plus two crew. The first five pre-production aircraft with these characteristics appeared in 1967, all with civil registrations, while the sixth had a different nose, which was standardized on the production aircraft. As a result of the trials programme this compact, efficient aircraft won the approval of the French Army, which ordered 130. - NH 90 TTH The TTH version is primarily conceived for tactical transport of personnel (14-20 troops) and material (more than 2500 kg of cargo), heliborne operations and SAR. Additional applications include medevac, special operations, electronic warfare, airborne command post, parachuting, VIP transport, flight training.This version is optimised for low signatures (acoustic, radar, infrared). It will be equipped with a night vision system (Forward Looking Infra-Red, Night Vision Goggles, Helmet Mounted Sight & Display). The first French army TTH90 is scheduled to enter service in 2011. A total of 133 helicopters are required but this figure may be reduced.

The 2015 Navy model defines the forces required to perform the tasks involved in the "permanent protection posture", deterrence, support of the FOST, prevention, the protection of our maritime approaches and public service; as well as specifying the forces essential for engagement in one or more conflicts that require power projection. From the outset, the 2015 model has incorporated a degree of balance with our European allies. French "poles of excellence", which enable France to take responsibility for command of operations within a coalition force, can be considered as valuable assets. These are the aircraft carrier and its air wing, amphibious ships, SSNs and the mine warfare group.                               In 2015, the Navy will deploy altogether: a strategic ocean-going force consisting of four SSBN, one or two aircraft carriers with a carrier borne air wing consisting of Rafale multi-purpose aircraft and Hawkeye AEW aircraft, an amphibious force consisting of four LPD, a group of twenty-six destroyers and frigates including four AAW and eight ASW ships, six SSN, overseas forces consisting of six surveillance frigates, eleven patrol boats and five light transport ships (BATRAL), a mine warfare force consisting of fifteen ships and a command ship, a maritime patrol aircraft wing consisting of twenty-two Atlantique aircraft and ten maritime surveillance aircraft, about fifty ship-borne helicopters. This represents a total of 80 warships, 130 naval aircraft and five commandos units The Navy is already operating with a fleet of this size. It is on this basis that it is modernising, as can be seen by the introduction into service of the nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle with its Rafale aircraft, and the orders placed for Forbin and Chevalier Paul (the first two anti-aircraft frigates), Le Terrible (the fourth new generation SSBN), Tonnerre and Mistral (the third and fourth LPD), and the oceanographic ship Beautemps-Beaupré.The year 2000 also marked an important milestone in the development of the Navy, with the updating of Combat Management Systems, the modernisation of tripartite mine-hunters and the development of the new Barracuda-class SSN. The modernisation will continue in 2001 with the launch of the design phase of the new multi-role frigates. These will form the backbone of the fleet and will replace most of our frigate fleet, today made up of three classes: F67s, F70s and "avisos" (light frigates).The management of naval aircraft has also been subject to rationalisation. Support helicopter activities have been refocused, particularly with regard to search and rescue (in combat and in peace) and logistic support, and will be gradually devolved to a joint organisation. These actions will reduce cost of ownership and facilitate re-equipment programmes such as Rafale and NH90. Ships of the French Navy : Surface Combatants : - Charles De Gaulle Class Aircraft Carrier The 38,000t, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle was constructed at the DCN Brest naval shipyard in Brittany. The ship was launched in May 1994 and commissioned in September 2000, following sea trials which began in January 1999. As a result of trials the landing deck has been lengthened by 4.4m to enable the E-2C to land and clear the deck quickly. The carrier was due to enter service in December 2000, but, following the breakage of a propeller blade during long-distance trials, this was delayed to April 2001. The ship can operate a fleet of up to 40 aircraft: Rafale M (range 3,340km), Super Etendard (range 1,682km) and three E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. The ship will also support the AS 565 Panther or NH 90 helicopter. - Jeanne D'Arc Class Helicopter-carrier The French Navy designates Jeanne d' Arc as helicopter carrier (porte hélicoptéres). International she is regarded as a helicopter cruiser. Jeanne d' Arc was launched in 1961. In peacetimes she is used as training ship for the Ecole d' Application des Officiers de Marine (the French Navy Academy) and as command ship. Due to her age she will be decommissioned within the next years. Her tasks will be overtaken by one ship of the new NTCD class. - Forbin Class (horizon project) Destroyers Horizon is a joint programme between France and Italy. The aim is to develop and build a common new-generation AAW frigate. The Horizon frigate will also have anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities to conduct an extensive range of missions: air defence as part of an aircraft carrier group, support of lightly armed or unarmed vessels or operations as a single unit. Four Horizon frigates will enter service with the French and Italian navies between 2006 and 2009. - Suffren Class Air-defense Destroyers The first French destroyers designed from the outset to carry surface to air missiles.  Three ships were planned with more to follow but budget cutbacks cut this number to only two. They have been significantly modernized over the years and should serve until sometime after the year 2000. They are primarily used as air defense ships for the French carriers.. She is manned by a crew of 355, including 23 officers. Armaments consist of four Aerospatiale MM 38 Exocet anti-ship missiles (fitted during a modernisation in 1979); an ECAN Ruelle Masurca twin launcher taking the Mk 2 Mod 3 anti-aircraft missile  - Tourville Class Destroyers French Tourville Class destroyer of 4580 tons displacement, launched in 1972. She is manned by a crew of 301 including 21 officers. Two Rateau geared steam turbines provide a top speed of 32 knots and a range of 8000 km at 18 knots. Armaments consist of six Aerospatiale MM 38 Exocet anti-ship missiles; a Thomson- CSF Crotale Navale EDIR octuple anti-aircraft missile launcher; a Latecoere Malafon acoustic homing torpedo missile launcher; two DCN 100 mm/55 Mod 68 CADAM automatic dual-purpose guns; two Oerlikon 20 mm guns; two torpedo launchers taking the ECAN L5 anti- submarine torpedo; and two WG 13 Lynx anti-submarine warfare helicopters. - Cassard Class Destroyers The French Navy Cassard Class anti-aircraft frigates are assigned to the Force d'Action Navale with headquarters at the Mediterranean Command base at Toulon. The Cassard (D 614) and the Jean Bart (D 615), built at the Lorient naval Dockyard of DCN, were commissioned in 1988 and 1991.Two four-cell missile launchers for the Exocet MM40 are installed in a midship position between the two citadels.The Mark 13 Mod 5 launcher for the Standard SM-1R surface-to-air missile is installed forward of the helicopter hangar. SM-1MR has a maximum speed of Mach 2 with a range of 45km and altitude up to 18km. The Aster 30 missile will replace the SM-1MR during the ships' mid-life refit. - Georges Leygues Class Frigates French Georges Leygues Class destroyer of 3830 tons displacement and a crew of 218 launched in 1978. Two Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbines rated at 46200 bhp and two SEMT- Pielstick 16PA6 CV280 diesels rated at 10400 bhp provide a top speed of 30knots; 21 knots on the diesel engines, and a range, of 13600 km at 18 knots. Armaments consist of four Aerospatiale MM 38 Exocet anti-ship missiles; a Thomson-CSF Crotale Navale EDIR octuple anti-aircraft launcher with twenty-six missiles; one 100 mm/55 Mod 68 CADAM automatic dual purpose gun; two Oerlikon 20 mm guns; four M2HB 12.7 mm machine guns; two fixed torpedo launchers and ten ECAN L5 anti-submarine torpedoes; twelve Honeywell Mk 46 torpedoes for use with helicopters are also carried for the ship' s two dual-purpose, anti-submarine and anti-ship Lynx helicopters. - Lafayette Class Frigates The French Navy's La Fayette class multipurpose stealth frigates have been developed by DCN. The French Navy awarded DCN the contracts to construct the La Fayette (F710), Surcoef (F711), and Courbet (F712) frigates in 1988, and Aconit (F713) and Guepratte (F 714) in 1992.The La Fayette class incorporates a number of stealth features - the sides of the vessel are sloped at 10° to minimise radar cross section, surfaces have been coated in radar-absorbent paint and the profiles of external features have been reduced.The ship's surface-to-surface missile is the Exocet MM40 from MBDA (formerly EADS Aerospatiale). Two four-cell launchers are installed in a midship position between the two masts.The ship's surface-to-air missile system is the Thales Crotale Naval CN2. - Floreal Class small patrol Frigates The Floreal Class Frigates entered French Navy service in the early 1990's. French Floreal Class patrol frigate of 2600 tons displacement, launched in 1991, and officially described as 'Fregates de Surveillance' and designed to operate in the offshore zone in low intensity operations. Submarines : - Le Triomphant class ballistic missile submarines Le Triomphant (S616) is the French Navy’s ballistic missile nuclear-powered submarine (SSBN), intended to replace the L'Inflexible M4 class SSBN's. The submarine was designed and built at DCN's Cherbourg shipyard. This first-of-class submarine was launched in July 1993 and entered service in 1997. The second, Le Temeraire (S617), entered service in January 2000. The construction of the third, Le Vigilant (S618), is underway and it is due to enter service in 2004. A fourth, Le Terrible is planned to commission in 2008.The submarine carries 16 vertically launched M45 ballistic missiles.The new enhanced M51 missile, due to enter service in 2008, will carry a warhead with twelve MIRVS, and increased range of 8,000km.The submarine has four 533mm torpedo tubes and has the capacity to carry a mixed load of 18 ECAN L5 Mod 3 torpedoes and Exocet missiles. - L'Inflexible class ballistic missile submarines These ballistic missile submarines were previously known as the Le Redoubtable class (and are sometimes referred to as the modified Le Redoubtable class). But when the vessel bearing that name was decommissioned in 1991, they were renamed the L'Inflexible class, after the newest vessel. The other four submarines have undergone a two and a half year modernization overhaul in the 1980s which fitted the M-4 missiles, replaced the missile launch system, installed new reactor cores, updated the sonar, and improved quieting up to the standard of the L'Inflexible. These boats are scheduled to begin retirement one already retired in 1996, with two others scheduled in 1998, and 2002. - Amethyste class Submarine The French Navy operates six Rubis Amethyste class submarines from the naval base in Toulon.The first four submarines were initially equipped for an anti-surface ship role but have been re-equipped to the same standard as the later submarines for both anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.The torpedo tube launched Exocet SM39 anti-ship missile is manufactured by MBDA.The submarine has the capacity to carry 14 missiles and torpedoes in a mixed load. The Rubis Amethyste's Type 1007 navigation radar is supplied by Kelvin Hughes and operates at I-band. Amphibious Ships : - Mistral class dock landing ships The BIP multi-purpose carriers from the DCN are a family of amphibious ships based on a common design. This program known in France as the NTCD (Nouveau Transport de Chalands de Débarquement/ New LPDs) has been launched in 1997 by the DCN Internationale. This carrier can accommodate aircraft/ helicopters such as the AV-8B Harrier II, JSF and NH-90 NFHs. Four kinds of ship have been studied : the BIP 19, the BIP 13, the BIP 10 and the BIP 8. The aircraft will be used as a support for marines while helicopters & LCACs (Landing Craft Air Cushioned) will ferry freight and troops. Two ships will be built from 2002 by the DCN in cooperation with Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique, they will replace the Ouragan class LPD (Ouragan and Orage). The French secretary of defence Alain Richard confirmed the launch of the program during Euronaval' 98. In May 2000, the project has started, two ships the Mistral and the Tonnerre will be bought, and commissioned by 2004 and 2006 within the Naval Action Force based at Toulon. - Foudre class dock landing ships The French Navy operates two Foudre class landing platform dock ships, the Foudre (L9011) and the Siroco (L9012), which were commissioned in 1990 and 1998.The Foudre class is capable of landing and supporting a mechanised armoured regiment of the French rapid deployment force. The three main missions of the Foudre class are the landing of infantry and armoured vehicles on unprepared coasts, mobile logistic support for naval forces and humanitarian missions.. The well dock can accommodate either ten medium-size landing craft (LCMs) or one mechanised landing craft (LSM) and four medium-sized landing craft (LCMs).The ship, which has a 1,450m² flight deck, can accommodate up to seven Super Puma helicopters. - Ouragan class small dock landing ships Displacement: 8,500 tons full load Dimensions: 149 x 21.5 x 5.40 meters (489 x 71 x 18 feet) Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 8,640 bhp, 17 knots Crew: 211 Aviation: midships helicopter deck Well Deck: 120 m long (393 ft) Troops: 349 Cargo: 1,500 tons maximum Armament: 2 Mistral SAM positions, 4 40 mm AA LSD-type ships; also can serve as maintenance, logistics and repair ships. - Champlain class small landing ships Displacement: 1,386 tons full load Dimensions: 80 x 13 x 3 meters (262 x 43 x 10 feet) Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 3,600 bhp, 16 knots Crew: 44 Aviation: aft helicopter deck Troops: 138 Cargo: 12 vehicles + equipment/supplies Armament: 2 40 mm AA or 2 20 mm AA, 2 81 mm mortars, 2 12.7 mm MG Small self-sufficient multirole landing ships intended mainly for overseas service Air Arm : - Super Etendard The Super Etendard is a carrier-based single-seat strike fighter first introduced into service in 1978. It is an updated version of the Etendard IVM.The naval single-seater combat aircraft, Dassault Super-Etendard, is a modernized version of the Etendard IV M. Main modifications include updating of the weapons system through the installation (a first for a French production aircraft) of a modern navigation and combat management system. The aircraft prototype made its maiden flight 28 October 1974 at Istres (the Bouches-du-Rhône region of France). The French Navy commissioned the plane for the first time in 1977 and 71 aircraft are now in service on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The Super-Etendard will be replaced by the naval version of the multi-role combat aircraft Rafale at the beginning of the 21st century. - Rafale M Rafale is a twin-jet combat aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of short- and long-range missions, including ground and sea attack, air defence and air superiority, reconnaissance and high-accuracy strike or nuclear strike deterrence.The Rafale M variant is a single-seater carrier-based version for the navy.The Rafale M is scheduled to enter service on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in 2001.The Rafale can carry payloads of over 9t on 14 hardpoints for the air force version and 13 for the naval version. - Atlantique 2/3 The Atlantique ATL2 has been in service with the French Navy since 1989.The primary mission of the Atlantique is anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, but secondary roles include search and rescue, mine laying and detection and long-range maritime surveillance.The flight deck is designed for two-pilot operation. Six liquid-crystal displays provide both pilots independently with the flight and systems management data. - Hawkeye E-2C AEW   Northrop Grumman has delivered two E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning/ command and control aircraft to the French Navy. France ordered the Hawkeye in early 1995 and the first of the two aircraft had its maiden flight on March 12, 1998, arriving in France in late 1998; the second arrived in early 1999. The two aircraft are now operating from France's new carrier, USS Charles de Gaulle. These two aircraft are Group II E-2C Hawkeyes. France has ordered a third Group II Hawkeye to be built as part of a U.S. Navy multiyear contract that was awarded in April 1999 for a total of 22 aircraft. It will be delivered to France in 2003. As part of Northrop Grumman's sale of the E-2C's to France, a team of French Navy officers and enlisted personnel came to the United States in 1997 to study E-2C operations and maintenance at Northrop Grumman's facilities. They visited Bethpage, N.Y., the program headquarters and St. Augustine, Fla., where the aircraft is manufactured, as well as E-2C suppliers elsewhere in the United States. Ninety-nine students were in the training program. The E-2C Hawkeye's primary mission is surveillance. An affordable, proven airborne defense system, the E-2C eliminates the element of surprise attack not only from bombers and fighters, but also from ships and low-altitude aircraft and missiles. - AS 565 SB Panther This helicopter is a naval military version of AS-365 Dauphin 2, a civil helicopter made by Eurocopterin the 1970s. It rolled out in June 1987, as SA-365M Panther within the context of the market for replacing French Army's Gazelles. It was equipped with two Turboméca TM-333 (900 hp each one) turboshafts. The Tiger won the competition and the Panther was re-motorized with Arriel turboshafts. The machine was bought by Saudi Arabia. It is equipped with two Turboméca Arriel 1 MN of 760 hp. The French Navy bought between 1994 and 1998, fifteen examples to equip its Floréal class small-weight frigates and Lafayette class stealth-frigates. -  SA-321G Super-Frelon The Super Frelon first flew in 1962. The Super Frelon was produced in a civilian transport version and military transport, anti-submarine, and anti-ship versions.The French navy ordered twenty-nine helicopters to equip her ASW and transport units.Less than ten helicopters are in line in 2000. These helicopters will be replaced in 2005 by new ASW medium-lift helicopter NH-90 NFHs. Twenty-seven examples will be ordered to replace SA-321G Super-Frelons for transport and rescue duties. - NH-90 (NFH) The program of this helicopter was launched in the 80-90's, in order to replace WG-13 Lynxs and SA-321G Super-Frelons of the French Navy, and SA-330 Pumas of the French Army Light Aviation. This helicopter is studied in cooperation between Eurocopter (France and Germany), Fokker (Netherlands) and Agusta (Italy). The various prototypes (01/ 02/ 03/ 04/ 05), respectively first flew in December 1995 (NH-90 01), March 1997 (NH-90 02), on November 27th 1998 (NH-90 03), and 1999 (NH-90 04 and 05). NATO Frigate Helicopter version will provide .Twenty-seven helicopters have been ordered for the French Navy.   Visit the site's forum.