| Unit Name: | Armée de l'Air |
| Start Date: | 1909 (independent in 1933) |
| Country: | France |
| Size: | 65,000 personnel 560+ aircraft |
| Command Structure: | Ministère de la Défense |
| Current Commander: | Général d'Armée aérienne Stéphane Abrial |
| Current Commander Label: | Chef d'Etat-major de l'Armée de l'Air |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Roundel |
The French Air Force (French: '''Armée de l'Air''' (ALA), literally Air Army) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, it is the world’s oldest military air service.
The organisation of the ALA is based on having complete control of air operations and on flexibility in execution, both in peacetime and at war. As most modern defence organisations at the moment (2007) the ALA is busy reorganising itself (see Future).
After an absence lasting several decades the French president, Mr Sarkozy, confirmed that France will rejoin NATO again.
From this point of view, the ALA is still organised into 3 levels:
The President of France, currently Nicolas Sarkozy, is Chief of the armed forces. He is responsible for the overall defence policy. The Prime Minister is responsible for national defence and the Minister of Defence is responsible for the execution of the military policy.
He is advised by the Chief of Staff of the Armies (CEMA) in regard to the use of forces and the control of military operations. The Chief of Staff-Air Force (CEMAA) determines the air force doctrines and advises the CEMA how to deploy French aerial assets. He is responsible for the preparation and logistic support of the air force. The CEMAA is assisted by the air force staff and by its subordinate services. Finally, the CEMAA is assisted by the inspection of the air force (IAA) and by the air force health service inspection (ISSAA).
In the ALA the responsibilities are separated in two main types of commands: operational commands (direct responsible for force deployment) and organic commands (in charge of conditioning and logistic support). These commands are subject to change before 2010 (see future).
All the air forces nuclear assets are placed in this command which is responsible for the operational condition and the eventual deployment of these weapons. The CFAS is one of the two pillars of the French nuclear deterrent, but is to be dissolved in 2010. CFAS has 3 squadrons of dual capable Mirage 2000N fighter/bombers capable of carrying the nuclear Air-Sol Moyenne Portée stand-off missile and a squadron of C-135FR in-flight refuelling tankers at its disposal to carry out their missions. The commanding CFAS general is still responsible for the execution of the mission.
This overall command is responsible for all air operations in peacetime serving the public, for the defence of the French airspace and for all offensive and defensive air operations at war.
A new command which has been inaugurated in 2006. It is responsible to ensure and to maintain the operational condition of all branches of the air force now and for the future. At present day the CFA consists of
All over its airbases on the European continent and abroad the CFA counts 16000 personnel (male/female), 279 fighter aircraft, 122 transport aircraft and 85 helicopters.
This command has already been dissolved and the 8100 personnel, working in the former CASSIC have been transferred to the other existing air force commands and to the DIRISI, the interim joint defence communication and intelligence organisation.
CDAOA, based in Paris and Lyon, plans and executes all air operations. Lots of ex-CASSIC personnel are embedded here to develop exercises and operations abroad.CFA prepares the forces. Since 2007, 38% ex-CASSIC personnel rejoined the airspace control brigade which also controls all ground-air defence units.CSFA, based in Bordeaux, guards the technical and logistical assets. Since 2006 it took over lots of ex-CASSIC projects.
Responsible for training all new air force personnel as well as on the technical and on the job training of the other air force personnel to keep them on a satisfying level as well as the officers and NCO training. CEAA is also responsible for all schools and training facilities.
This command is responsible for the operational readiness and the deployment of all base protecting squadrons, dog-handlers, fire brigades, paratroopers and NBC and decontamination personnel.
The air base command levels are the combat assets of the ALA, whose operational activity never cease. An airbase commander has authority over all units stationed on his base. Depending on the units tasks this means that he is responsible for approximately 600 to 2500 personnel.
Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms and French air defence radar systems. It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, centres of operations, warehouses, workshops, and schools.
The bases are organised for flexibility and rapid response. Both in France and abroad, bases have almost similar infrastructure to provide standardised support. This operational mode allows fast and easy creation of air bases outside of France.
Overseas, fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters allow quick response to any request for assistance that falls within international agreements. It ensures the defence of French interests. On average, a base platform, made up of about 1500 personnel (nearly 3500 people including family), provides a yearly economic boost of about 60 million euros. Consequently, determining the sites for air bases constitutes a major part of regional planning.
See main article: List of French Air Force bases.
See main article: History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942), Free French Air Force, Vichy French Air Force and History of the Armée de l'Air (colonial presence 1939-1962). Many consider the Armée de l'Air to have been the first professional air force in the world. The French took active interest in developing the air force from 1909 and had the first WWI fighter pilots. During the interwar years, however, particularly in the 1930s, the quality fell when compared with the Luftwaffe, which crushed the French during the Battle of France.
In the post–WWII era, the French made a concerted and successful effort to develop a home grown aircraft industry. Dassault Aviation led the way with unique and effective delta-wing designs, which formed the basis for the Mirage series of jet fighters. The Mirage repeatedly demonstrated its deadly abilities in the Six-Day War and the Gulf War, becoming one of the most popular and well-sold aircraft in the history of military aviation along the way. Currently, the French Air Force is expanding and replacing. The French are awaiting the A400M military transport aircraft, which is still in developmental stages, and the integration of the new Rafale multi-role jet fighter, whose first squadron of 20 aircraft became operational in 2006 at Saint-Dizier.
The French Air Force operates a wide-ranging fleet of aircraft, fighters, transport aircraft, passenger transport and helicopters. It currently maintains some 560 aircraft. 150 comprise the air mobility force (CFAP) and include aircraft such as C-160 and the C-130 Hercules. The CFAP also includes 80 helicopters like the Super Puma and the Ecureuil. 330 fighter aircraft are incorporated into 19 squadrons with different missions. Finally, the French Air Force has a fleet of aircraft, including Alpha Jet, Xingu, Epsilon, and Tucano, to meet training requirements. These air assets are supported by ground units and a sophisticated infrastructure.[1]
The Air 2010 concept allows for 300 fighters, mainly composed of the new generation multirole combat airplane Rafale.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service[2] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Service entry[3] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Note|-----| Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma || || SAR
Like most modern defence organisations the French air force is reorganising its commands, units and assets. This project to streamline the forces is called Air 2010, which is the year of the deadline of all transitions.
The main targets of this project are to simplify the command structure, to regroup all military and civil air force functions and to rationalise and optimise all air force units.
The solution to reach these aims seems to be changing the organisation into 5 major commands, instead of the former 13, and to disband several commands and units. These are the future air force commands.