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List of equipment of the French Army

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Modern equipment of the French Army is a list of equipment currently in service with the French Army. Figures are provided by the Ministry of Armed Forces for 2021.[1][2]

Personal equipment

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Uniforms

[edit]
Name Origin Type Photo Notes
Field uniforms
Camouflage Centre-Europe (CCE)  France Combat uniform
  • Standard camouflage pattern of the French Armed Forces
  • In May 2022, it was announced a new camouflage pattern, the Bariolage Multi-Environnement (BME), was being developed and that it would replace the CCE as the standard camouflage pattern. Delivery of the BME to French units expected to start in 2024
Camouflage Daguet  France Combat uniform Desert camouflage of the French Armed Forces
Camouflage Tundra  France Combat uniform
  • Snow camouflage of the French Armed Forces
  • Typically worn by the Alpine Hunters and other mountain units
COM FST-specific camouflage  France
 United States
Combat uniform
Various uniforms seen worn by operators of the French Army Special Forces Command's units.
Helmets
Casque SPECTRA (F2)  France Combat helmet
  • Entered service in 1993
  • Succeeded the Modèle 1978 helmet (F1) as the standard-issue helmet
  • Replaced by the FÉLIN helmet
  • As of 2021, the SPECTRA helmet is still occasionally seen equipping some soldiers during training or parades
Casque TC F NVG V2
Casque TC 3001/3002
 France
 United States
Combat helmet
  • Variants of the MICH and manufactured by MSA Gallet
  • TC F NVG V2 helmets seen used by some conventional units of the French army and TC 3001/3002 (pictured) seen used by special forces operators
  • Entered service in 2009 and 2010 respectively
  • Still occasionally seen used
Ops-Core helmet  United States Combat helmet Used by the Special Operations Command's units as well as by specialized conventional units such as the para commandos of the 11th Airborne Brigade's Parachute Commando Group (GCP) and the mountain commandos of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade's Mountain Commando Group (GCM)
Casque FÉLIN
Casque balistique F3.
 France Combat helmet
  • First delivered in 2010, the FÉLIN ballistic helmet is the SPECTRA helmet's successor. It is an integral component of the FÉLIN system.
  • The F3 helmet to be delivered from 2020 onwards and is an evolution of the FÉLIN. It will equip all army soldiers and meet the overall objective of renewing the armed forces' "small equipment" in accordance with the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law.
Ballistic vests
Gilet TIGRE  France Bulletproof vest
  • Former standard-issue bulletproof vest of the French Armed Forces.
  • Some units still in service but mostly replaced by the SMB.
Structure Modulaire Balistique (SMB)  France
 Norway
Bulletproof vest
  • Standard-issue bulletproof vest of the French Armed Forces.
  • Designed by the Norwegian company NFM Group and manufactured by Plastimor, it's Lorient-based French subsidiary
  • First units delivered in 2017 and 60,000 in service as of March 2022
  • 5,900 SMB V2 units, an evolution of the SMB, have been delivered as of March 2022
COM FST-specific ballistic vests  France Bulletproof vest Various bulletproof vests seen worn by the French Army Special Forces Command's units.
Boots
HAIX Centre Europe (HAIX Nepal Pro)  Germany
 France
Combat boots Standard combat boots of the French army
Meindl Desert Defence  Germany Combat boots Hot climate combat boots of the French army

Optronic devices and observation systems

[edit]
Name Origin Type Photo Notes
Safran Vectronix Leica Vector  France
 Switzerland
Multifunctional optronic device
  • Binocular rangefinder with day optics, an integrated 3-dimensional 360° digital compass and a class 1 eye-safe laser rangefinder.
  • Allows infantrymen and forward observers to conduct long-range observation and target acquisition missions from 5 m to over 4 km, at both day and night.
  • Mostly replaced by the Safran Vector 21
  • Occasionally still seen used by French troops
Safran Vectronix Vector 21  France
 Switzerland
Multifunctional optronic device
  • Succeeded the Leica Vector in general service
  • The Vector 21 increases the range for distance measurements up to 12 km. It also has a 1,550 nm laser invisible to image intensification devices, providing an added level of security.
Safran Vectronix JIM LR  France
 Switzerland
Multifunctional optronic device
  • Long-range, multifunctional, infrared binoculars
  • Equips conventional units
  • Provides optimal day and night vision up to 10 km for threat detection, target identification and intelligence gathering on all terrains and in all weather conditions.
Safran Vectronix JIM Compact  France
 Switzerland
Multifunctional optronic device
  • Lightweight, multifunctional, long-range infrared binoculars
  • Equips the Special Operations Command's units as well as specialized conventional units such as the Parachute Commando Group (GCP) and Mountain Commando Group (GCM)
  • Allows operators to carry out missions of surveillance and geolocation of targets up to 12 km and is usable even in the most extreme environments. It notably combines advanced capabilities, such as See-Spot, low-light positive identification, transmission of information and filled-in images, channel fusion, and new functionalities dedicated to long-range fire, air support and artillery.
Safran Vectronix Moskito TI  France
 Switzerland
Multifunctional optronic device
  • Multifunctional stealth binoculars
  • Used by the Special Operations Command's units, the Parachute Commando Group and Mountain Commando Group
  • Offers full situational awareness 24 hours a day, notably providing distance measurement and geolocation of targets in just a few seconds up to 10 km, day and night. Safran claims it is the best-in-class in terms of both recognition capability and functionality.
Thales OB70 Lucie  France Night vision device
  • In service since the mid-1990s
  • Being replaced by the Thales O-NYX (in service since 2020) and Thales BI-NYX (contract awarded to Thales in December 2020 with delivery expected to begin in 2022)
Thales JVN O-NYX  France Night vision device
  • Successor of the Thales OB70 Lucie and meant to equip dismounted French units
  • Entered service in 2020
  • 10,000 units out of 15,000 ordered were delivered as of February 2023. An additional batch of 4,000 O-NYX was ordered the same month, with delivery of all 19,000 units expected by 2025.
Thales JVN Bonie HP (High Performance)  France Night vision device
Equips the Special Operations Command's units, the Parachute Commando Group and Mountain Commando Group since 2019

Special equipment

[edit]
Name Origin Type Photo Notes
FÉLIN system  France Integrated combat technology
  • Delivered between 2010 and 2015
  • New updated version of the FÉLIN system in 2016
  • The total cost of the program for 18,552 systems issued to 18 regiments was estimated to be €1.07 billion (FY2016)
  • 23,065 systems in service as of 2021

Infantry equipment

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Pistols

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Name Origin Type Cartridge Photo Notes
MAC 50  France Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum
  • In service since 1953
  • Being replaced by the Glock 17 Gen 5 FR since 2020
PAMAS G1  France Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum
  • French-manufactured variant of the Beretta 92
  • Entered service with the national gendarmerie in 1989, with the Air Force in 1992, and with the Army and Navy in 1999
  • 97,502 units in service in 2002[3]
  • Also being replaced by the Glock 17 Gen 5 FR since 2020
HK USP Compact Tactical  Germany Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP Seen used by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional units such as army engineer divers
Glock 17  Austria Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum
  • In January 2020, it was announced the Glock 17 Gen 5 FR, a custom-made fifth generation model of the Glock 17 ("FR" standing for "France"), had been selected to be the new standard-issue pistol of the French Armed Forces, replacing the MAC 50 and PAMAS G1. 74,596 units were ordered with 80% for the French Army.
  • Full delivery of the order was completed in October 2022, with 74,600 units in total received.
  • The Glock 17 was already in service with some French units before its selection to equip regular units. It was for example equipping Special Operations Command's units for years. It was also already used by some specialized units of the conventional forces such as the Parachute Commando Group, the Mountain Commando Group and army engineer divers (the Glock 17M specifically in the case of the latter).

Submachine guns

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Name Origin Type Cartridge Photo Notes
HK MP5 A5
HK MP5 SD3
 West Germany
 Germany
Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Heckler & Koch MP5 bHeckler Koch MP5 Used by the Special Operations Command's units
HK MP7 A1
HK MP7 A2
 Germany Submachine gun 4.6×30mm Used by the Special Operations Command's units
FN P90  Belgium Submachine gun FN 5.7×28mm Used by the Special Operations Command's units

Assault rifles

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Name Origin Type Cartridge Photo Notes
FAMAS F1  France Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO
HK416 F
HK416 D14.5RS
HK416 A5
 Germany Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO

  • In 2017, the HK416 F, a custom-made model of the HK416 ("F" standing for "France"), was selected to replace the FAMAS as the standard-issue rifle of the French Armed Forces. The Aimpoint CompM5 was selected the following year to be the standard-issue sight for the rifle. 117,000 HK416 F have been ordered and 70,340 units have been delivered as of March 2023.
  • The HK416 was already in service with the Special Operations Command's units since 2007, a decade before its selection to equip conventional forces. As of 2021, it still is the most commonly used assault rifle by French special forces operators.
FN SCAR-L  Belgium Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO

Used by the Special Operations Command's units and the Parachute Commando Group
SIG MCX VIRTUS  United States Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO
.300 AAC Blackout
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and the Mountain Commando Group
SIG SG 553  Switzerland Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional diving units
M16A2
Colt Model 727
 United States Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO
  • Still listed by the French army among the weapons in service with the 1er RPIMa as late as 2009 and generally seen used in tandem with the M203 grenade launcher. It is unknown if the rifle is still in use by the 1er RPIMa.
  • Still used to train troops in the 51st Infantry Regiment as of 2021
AK-47  Soviet Union
 Poland
Assault rifle 7.62×39mm
  • Procured from Poland
  • Still used to train troops in the 51st Infantry Regiment as of 2021

Sniper and anti-materiel rifles

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Name Origin Type Cartridge Photo Notes
FN SCAR-H PR  Belgium Designated marksman rifle
Sniper rifle
7.62×51mm NATO
  • Selected in 2019 to replace the FR F2
  • The full delivery of the 2,620 rifles, 1,096 infrared optronic modules and 1,766 light intensification optronic modules ordered was completed in February 2023.
HK 417  Germany Battle rifle
Designated marksman rifle
7.62×51mm NATO Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional troops
PGM Ultima Ratio  France Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO Used by the Special Operations Command's units
Sako TRG-42  Finland Sniper rifle .300 Winchester Magnum
.338 Lapua Magnum
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional units
Cadex CDX-40 Shadow (Elsa)  Canada Sniper rifle .408 CT Used by the Special Operations Command's units
PGM Hécate II  France Anti-materiel rifle .50 BMG Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional units
Barrett M107  United States Anti-materiel rifle .50 BMG Used by the Special Operations Command's units

Machine guns

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Name Origin Type Cartridge Photo Notes
FN Minimi Para  Belgium Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO

Widely used in the French Armed Forces
FN Evolys  Belgium Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×51mm NATO
  • Delivered in 2022
  • Used by the Special Operations Command's units
ANF1  France General purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO
  • Entered service in 1952
  • Being replaced by the FN MAG
FN MAG 58  Belgium General purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO
  • Selected in 2010 to replace the ANF1
  • 10,881 units ordered in 2011
M2 Browning  United States Heavy machine gun .50 BMG

Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional forces
M134 Minigun  United States Rotary medium machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO

Used by the Special Operations Command's units

Shotguns

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Name Origin Type Cartridge Photo Notes
Benelli M4 Super 90  Italy Semi-automatic shotgun 12-gauge Used by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional units
Benelli Supernova Tactical  Italy Pump-action shotgun 12-gauge Selected the Benelli Supernova Tactical in 2022 as the new service shotgun.
Mossberg 500  United States Pump-action shotgun 12-gauge Used by the Special Operations Command's units as well as by conventional troops stationed in French Guiana.
Remington Model 870  United States Pump-action shotgun 12-gauge Used by conventional troops stationed in French Guiana.

Grenade launchers

[edit]
Name Origin Type Caliber Photo Notes
M203 grenade launcher  United States Grenade launcher 40mm grenade Seen used by 1er RPIMa operators in tandem with the M16 assault rifle in the early 2000s. It is unknown if it is still in service.
Heckler & Koch AG36  Germany Grenade launcher 40mm grenade
  • In service in limited numbers since 2014
  • 10,767 units ordered in September 2016.
Heckler & Koch 269 F  Germany Grenade launcher 40mm grenade

The HK269 is the result of the development of the 40mm x 46 low velocity M320 GLM with the ability to open the barrel to the left or right. It can be used under the HK416 F or as a stand-alone weapon.
Milkor MGL  South Africa
 South Africa
Grenade launcher 40mm grenade

Used by the Special Operations Command's units
Heckler & Koch GMG  Germany Grenade machine gun 40mm grenade Used by the Special Operations Command's units

Portable anti-material weapons

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Name Origin Type Caliber Photo Notes
AT4 CS  Sweden Recoilless anti-tank weapon 84mm
  • 2 AT4 CS per infantry squad
  • The AT4 CS equips each of the grenadiers-voltigeurs of the 300 Meter fireteam. Work in progress concerns the acquisition of a night firing capability by 2020.
  • The F2 standard will replace both the Eryx and the AT4 CS (F1) in French service. Delivery expected to begin in 2022.
MILAN  France
 West Germany
Anti-tank guided missile system 115mm
  • 343 firing posts in service as of 2021
  • Being replaced by the Akeron MP
  • Unknown number of firing posts and missiles donated to Ukraine in 2022
Eryx  France Anti-tank guided missile system 136mm
  • 700 firing posts and 12,000 missiles delivered
  • 630 firing posts in service as of 2021
  • Will be succeeded by the AT4 F2
FGM-148 Javelin  United States Fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system 127mm
  • 76 launchers and 260 missiles delivered in 2011
  • Removed from the inventory in 2021 and mothballed pending a decision by the DGA
  • Some or all were donated to Ukraine in 2022
  • Replaced by the Akeron MP
Akeron MP  France Fifth generation anti-tank guided missile system 140mm
  • Successor of the MILAN and US-made Javelin systems in French service
  • 400 firing posts and 2,850 missiles have been ordered as of 2017
  • First units delivered in 2017
  • 287 firing posts in service as of 2021

Vehicles

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Armoured vehicles

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Name Origin Type Number Photo Notes
Tanks
AMX Leclerc  France Main battle tank 215
  • Total - 406 (215 In service & 191 In storage).
  • 200 will be upgraded to the XLR-standard.
Engineering / Recovery and repair
Engin Blindé du Génie  France Armoured engineering vehicle 38
  • Capable of launching demolition grenades for destroying casemates, dropping 20 anti-tank mines, equipped with an hydraulic winch, a straight shovel and a log grapple.
  • 42 units in service as of 2023
SDZ - Zone mine clearance system  France Chaser remotely operated / Mine clearance vehicle 10
  • System for opening mined routes
  • 10 ordered and delivered from 2017
Leclerc DCL  France Armoured recovery vehicle 17
  • 20 delivered
  • 18 in service as of 2021
  • They will be upgraded to the XLR-standard
AMX-30D  France Armoured recovery vehicle 27
  • First prototype produced and delivered in 1971
  • First of a pre-series of five vehicles delivered in 1973 and 100 units ordered the same year, with production beginning in 1975
  • 28 still in service as of 2022
Wheeled armoured fighting vehicles
VBCI  France 622
  • The full delivery of the 520 VCI and 110 VPC ordered (including their respective 32T variants) was fulfilled in 2018
  • 628 units in service as of 2021
VAB  France ε1,800


  • 4,000 units delivered to the French Armed Forces in nearly 30 variants and sub-variants since the VAB's introduction
  • Will be gradually replaced by the VBMR Griffon and VBMR-L Serval (from 2018 and 2022 onwards respectively)
  • 2557 (including the 57 VAB OBS variant mentioned in the "Artillery and air defense" section) in active service with the French army as of 2021
  • A 'significant' amount of VAB donated to Ukraine in 2022
VBMR Griffon  France 587
  • Successor of the VAB
  • 1,872 units on order under the Scorpion program
  • 936 units to be delivered by 2025
  • Full delivery by 2030
  • 575 units delivered as of December 2023
VBMR-L Serval  France 208 (2023)
  • Will primarily equip the 11th Airborne Brigade and the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade.
  • 978 units are on order under the Scorpion program. The contract was awarded in February 2018 and included funding for 489 vehicles to be delivered by 2025, reaching the planned 978 by 2030.
  • 1,060 additional Serval VLTP P segment haut (multi-purpose light tactical vehicles) will be purchased by 2033.
  • 208 units delivered as of March 2024
AMX 10 RC  France Armoured reconnaissance vehicle
Wheeled tank destroyer
Light tank
210
  • Will be gradually replaced by the EBRC Jaguar from 2021 onwards
  • 40 were given to Ukraine in March 2023.
EBRC Jaguar  France Armoured reconnaissance vehicle 62
  • Successor of the AMX 10 RC, ERC 90 Sagaie and VAB Mephisto
  • 300 units were ordered under the Scorpion program and will be delivered from 2021 onwards
  • 60 delivered as of 2023
EBRC Kiosque  France EBRC Jaguar Driver Training Vehicle 2 (2023)
  • Ordered and delivered from 2022
  • Used for ABC training and practice on EBRC Jaguar
Buffalo MRAP  United States Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle 5
  • Armored vehicle equipped with a remote manipulator arm
  • 5 units were ordered for the Afghanistan war.
  • Replaced by the Nexter Aravis, a French developed MRAP, but still in service.
Nexter Aravis  France
 Germany
Infantry mobility vehicle / Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected 20
VBL  France Armoured car 1,418
  • 730 of them are being upgraded to the Ultima-standard with a new engine, new transmission, strengthened suspension and additional armour
  • Will be succeeded by the Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE)
PVP  France Armoured car 1,149
Tracked articulated vehicles
Véhicule à Haute Mobilité (VHM)
Véhicule Articulé Chenillé (VAC)
VAC NewGen or VAC 270
 Sweden /  United Kingdom France Armoured personnel carrier 87 ( 47 / 34 / 6 )
VAC du 13e bataillon de chasseurs alpins en 2010
  • The Véhicule à Haute Mobilité (High Mobility Vehicle) or VHM is the term used within the French Army to designate the Bandvagn 210 Mk II, which is derived from the Bv 206. It is a tracked, armoured, articulated, amphibious and air-transportable vehicle weighing 13 tons. First ordered in December 2009, there are 53 units in service as of 2017.
  • The Véhicule Articulé Chenillé (Tracked Articulated Vehicle) or VAC designates the Bv 206 and Bv 206S in French service. 50 VAC (Bv 206) were procured in the 1990s and some were upgraded to the Bv 206S standard for service in Afghanistan. They are being phased out and replaced with the VHM since 2011.

Artillery and air defence

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Name Origin Variant Number Photo Notes
Self-propelled artillery
AMX 30 AuF1  France 155 mm self-propelled howitzer 32
  • 273 units delivered
  • 32 in active service as of 2021
CAESAR  France 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer 64
  • Delivered from 2008 onwards
  • 76 units in service as of March 2022
  • 18 units donated to Ukraine by the army
  • 12 units transferred to Ukraine by Nexter industries
  • 6 additional units delivered to the army by Nexter industries as of November 2023
  • The CAESAR Nouvelle Génération (CAESAR New Generation) or CAESAR NG is being developed by Nexter. The contract was awarded in February 2022 by the DGA.
CAESAR NG  France 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer 0
  • Updated version of the Caesar will be heavier, more mobile (better engine) and better protected.
  • Will be delivered from 2026 onwards
  • 33 units planned to be in service as of June 2026, 109 in June 2030
Artillery observation
VAB VOA  France Armoured artillery observation vehicle 40 Will be replaced by the EPC/VOA variant of the VBMR Griffon
Griffon VOA  France Armoured artillery observation vehicle 11
Rocket artillery
LRU MLRS  United States
 France
227mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 9
  • 57 M270 MLRS (called "Lance-Roquettes Multiple" or "LRM" in French service) were delivered in the early 1990s.
  • 55 in service in 2007
  • All were withdrawn from service by France in accordance with the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions.
  • In 2014, 13 of those LRM were converted into the "Lance-Roquettes Unitaire" (LRU), which is a European variant of the upgraded M270A1. Those 13 remain in active service.
  • 2 were given to Ukraine.
Mortars
MO 120 RT F1  France 120 mm mortar 132 132 in service as of 2021
Mo 81 LLR F1  France 81 mm mortar 168 2 units per infantry company
M6 mortar  Austria 60 mm light mortar 120
  • Selected in 2020 as the new 60 mm mortar
  • Contract awarded on 21 June that year
  • 120 M6 C-640 Mk1 mortars, 6,500 HE shells, 2,000 ILL-VIS shells, 2,300 ILL-IR shells, 2,500 smoke shells, 4,700 training shells, as well as 50 booster bipods and associated aiming devices to be delivered over the 45-month duration of the contract
LGI Mle F1  France Mortar, 51mm grenade
  • 1 LGI per infantry squad
  • Man-portable, easily carried and operated by a single soldier, it equips one of the two grenadiers-voltigeurs of the 600 Meter fireteam in an infantry squad
  • Ammunition include high explosive projectiles for personnel neutralization and material destruction as well as smoke, blinding and flare bombs
  • Will be succeeded by the upcoming Fly-K Mk2 LGI developed by Cathyor.
Air defence
Mistral  France Short-range surface-to-air missile system 196
  • 196 Mistral firing stations in service as of 2021
  • Unknown number of Mistral MANPADS donated to Ukraine in 2022
NEROD F5-5  France Portable anti-drone weapon Unknown The NEROD F5 is a microwave jammer capable of disrupting and neutralizing all communication protocols used by drones. It neutralizes:
  • the usual or improvised mini and micro drones by acting simultaneously on 4 remote control frequencies among 5 available
  • the satellite navigation system of the targeted drone.

Engineering

[edit]
Name Origin Variant Number Photo Notes
Unarmoured engineering vehicles
TNA  France Airborne leveling tractor 6[4]
MFRD  France Rapid destruction drilling truck 122
EGAME  France Bulldozer 35
MPG  France Loader ?
UNAC 20TRR  France Road–rail excavator 2
Liebherr LTM 1050–3.1  Germany Mobile crane 50
SOUVIM  South Africa Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector 8
Scania P340  Sweden Dump truck 161[5]
Caterpillar D6  United States Bulldozer 40
EGRAP  United Kingdom Backhoe loader 92
Bridging vehicles/Military Ferries
EFA  France Ferry/Mobile bridge 20
PFM  France Mobile bridge 70 (2013)
SPRAT  France Modular assault bridge 10
Vedette de pontage F2  France Bridging speedboat 8
Robots
MINIROGEN (ECA COBRA MK2)  France Multi-function military robot 30
  • Used for mine clearing, chemical detection and reconnaissance
  • 30 ordered
  • Delivery began in 2012
ECA UGV IGUANA  France Mine clearing robot 15 43 units to be delivered until 2024
iRobot Packbot 510  United States Mine clearing robot 15

Logistics

[edit]
Name Origin Variant Number Photo Notes
TRM 10000  France Truck 1,322
TRM 700–100  France Truck 116
TRM 2000  France Truck 2,225
Renault GBC 180  France Truck 5,322
Renault Kerax  France Truck 420
Porteur polyvalent terrestre (PPT)  France
 Italy
  • PPLOG: Logistic vehicle
  • PPLD: Recovery vehicle
900 1600 units on order
Vehicle porte conteneurs maritimes (VPCM)  France
 United Kingdom
8x8 container carrier 12
Tanker trucks
Camion citerne polyvalent (CCP10)  France
 Sweden
6x6 fuel tanker truck 461
Camion Ravitailleur Pétrolier de l’Avant à Capacité Étendue (CaRaPACE)  France
 Sweden
Armoured fuel tanker truck 34
Recovery vehicles
Camion lourd de depannage routier (CLDR)  France 8x4 recovery vehicle 30

Unarmoured vehicles

[edit]
Name Origin Variant Number Photo Notes
Unarmoured vehicles
RIDER (Fardier)  France Light utility vehicle Unac-Fardier-The-airdroppable-RIDER
  • 300 units ordered, alongside 172 trailers
  • 8 RIDER delivered as of December 2022
VLRA  France Light utility vehicle The VLRA "Pamela" configuration (pictured) is a mobile platform equipped with a Mistral firing station
Panhard VPS  France Light utility vehicle 51
  • Delivered between 2006 and 2008
  • Used by the Special Operation Command's units
  • Will be replaced by 241 Véhicules Légers des Forces Spéciales (VLFS) from 2020 onwards
Arquus AREG VLFS  France Light utility vehicle Successor of the Panhard VPS
Renault Kangoo  France Light utility vehicle 460[6] Used by counter-terrorism units
VMA  France Airport crash tender Used by the French Army Light Aviation.[7]
Peugeot P4  Germany
 France
Light utility vehicle 2,500
  • MB G-Class chassis with French engine
  • 13,500 units delivered between 1982 and 1992
  • 600 withdrawn from service every year
  • Being replaced by VT4.
T4 VLTP NP  Japan
 France
Light utility vehicle 500[8]
  • Based on the five-door VDJ76 Toyota Land Cruisers procured from French coach builders Technamm.[9]
  • Delivery of 500 units until the end of May 2018
Arquus Trapper VT4  France
 United States
Light utility vehicle 4, 200
  • VLTP-NP based on the Ford Everest
  • Militarized by ACMAT and sold under the Arquus brand
  • 4380 units planned
  • Trapper carries a 1-ton payload
  • Trigger variant, with a slightly larger interior and carrying a 1.3 ton payload, being developed by ACMAT[10]
Ford Ranger  United States Light utility vehicle 1,000[11] sans cadre Introduced as an urgent operational requirement to replace the Peugeot P4.
Land Rover Defender  United Kingdom Light utility vehicle 550[12]
Quad Polaris  United States All-terrain vehicle 348
  • Used by French special forces
  • 300 Polaris Sportsman 700
  • 48 Polaris MV 850

Aircraft

[edit]
Aircraft Origin Type Quantity Photo Notes
Fixed-wing aircraft
Pilatus PC-6  Switzerland Transport and airdrop 5
SOCATA TBM  France VIP transport and utility 8
Helicopters
Eurocopter Tiger HAP/HAD  Europe Attack helicopter 67 67 in service as of 2023
NHIndustries NH90  Europe Utility helicopter 58 58 in service in January 2023
Aérospatiale Puma  France Utility helicopter 32
  • 32 in service as of 2023
  • Being replaced by the NH90
Eurocopter Cougar  France Utility helicopter 26
  • 26 in service as of 2023
  • Being replaced by the NH90
Eurocopter Caracal  France CSAR/SOF helicopter 8 8 in service as of 2023
Aérospatiale Gazelle  France Reconnaissance helicopter 87 87 in service as of 2023
Eurocopter Fennec  France Light surveillance helicopter 18 18 in service as of 2023
Colibri  Europe Training helicopter 36 36 in service as of 2023
UAVs
Safran Patroller  France ISTAR
  • 5 systems (28 drones) planned.
  • 1 system (5 drones) delivered as of December 2023
  • Entering service operational service in 2024
EADS DRAC  France Reconnaissance 38[13]
  • 38 systems in service in 2017
  • Will be replaced by the Thales Spy'Ranger from 2019
Thales Spy'Ranger  France Reconnaissance 210
  • 70 systems (201 drones) in service as of 2023
ECA IT180 DroGen  France Reconnaissance 12 6 systems (consisting of 2 drones each) in service as of 2021
Novadem NX70  France Reconnaissance 54 27 systems (54 drones) delivered in September 2019
Black Hornet Nano 3  United States Reconnaissance 400
  • 400 drones as of 2021
  • Some were given to allies

References

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  1. ^ "Chiffres clés de la Défense 2021" (PDF). January 2022.
  2. ^ "Le ministère des Armées et vous".
  3. ^ "PAMAS G1". gendarmes.net (in French). Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Un engin unique au monde développé pour les paras". Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  5. ^ "28052009La Délégation générale pour l'armement passe commande de 161 porteurs P 340 CB6X6HHZ à Scania". Scania France. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Le ministère de la Défense a commandé 520 véhicules pour l'opération Sentinelle". 10 February 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Pompiers aéroportuaires : les anges gardiens de l'aviation - avionslegendaires.net". 19 April 2012. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  8. ^ "VLTP : il arrive ! Et le Masstech T4 de Technamm ?". 5 September 2017.
  9. ^ "French Technamm Masstech T4 VLTP VP". Joint-Forces.com. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  10. ^ "ARQUUS TRIGGER and TRAPPER ~French Army Vehicles". Joint-Forces.com. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Quand l'armée française préfère rouler américain". 4 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Defender : le véhicule polyvalent de l'armée de Terre" (in French). defense.gouv.fr. 28 June 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  13. ^ "EADS Defence & Security delivers second batch of DRAC UAVs to French Ministry of Defence". Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
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