Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Armee de l'Air |
| English Title: |
| French Air Force |
| Abbreviation: |
| AdlA |
| First Established: |
| 1909 |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| France |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
The French military air arm was first established as the Service Aéronautique in 1909. It was renamed the Aeronautique Militaire in 1910, and in August 1933 it was renamed to its present title of Armee de l’Air. In 1942 the air force was disbanded under the German occupation, but reformed in May 1945 from the units of the Free French Air Force.
Key Dates
Current Status
The French Air Force is fully operational.
Future Plans
Procurement of 228 Rafale to replace the Jaguar and then the Mirage F.1.
Procurement of 50 A400M transports to replace Transall C-160 from 2013.
Obtain a new air tanker aircraft, possibly the A330.
Markings
National Markings
Aircraft Serial Numbers
French Air Force aircraft carry French military serial numbers which are usually based on the manufacturers construction number for the airframe concerned. There is thus no overall numbering sequence, but a numbering sequence from 01 or 1 for each individual type. For example, MS.760 Paris 92 shares the same number as N.2501 Noratlas 92.
Unit/Base Codes
Most AdlA aircraft used to carry tactical code numbers of the form xx-AA, eg: Mirage 2000D 3-XE, where the first number denoted the Escadre (Wing), the first letter indicated the Escadron (Squadron) and the second letter denoted the individual aircraft.
In 2009 a new system was introduced, whereby the first number is now the Base Aerienne number, followed by a two letter code, e.g. Mirage 2000N 125-AR of EC 02.004.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
Explanation of role designation suffixes to be added
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Etat-Major De l’Armee de l’Air, 26 Boulevard Victor, F-75996, Paris.
Organisational Structure
Under the Air 2010 reorganisation plan the Air Force command structure was reorganised into five major commands:
CFAS – Commandement des Forces Aeriennes Strategique (Strategic Air Forces Command)
CFA – Commandement des Forces Aerienne (Air Command)
CDAOA – Commandement de la Defence Aerienne et des Operations Aeriennes (Air Defence & Air Operations Command)
CSFA – Commandement du Soutien des Forces Aériennes (Air Force Support command)
DRHAA – Direction des Resources Humaines de l’Armee de l’Air (Human Resources Directorate)
Basic operational units are the Escadre (Wing), Escadron (Squadron) and Escadrille (Flight).
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
Historical Order of Battle for 2008
All-Time Flying Units List
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
See organisation table above.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the main bases, there are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are sometimes used by the Air Force.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
French Military Aviation by Paul A. Jackson (Midland Counties, 1979)
European Air Forces Directory 2012/13 (Mach III)
Les avions allemands aux couleurs françaises vols 1/2 (Airdoc/Lela Presse)
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.10 p.136
Air Forces Monthly January 1998
Websites
Official French Air Force website
wikipedia: French Air Force
wikipedia: Free French Air Force
wikipedia: Vichy French Air Force
Air-Britain Photos: French Air Force