Following the demise of the Warsaw Pact, the Aviation Légère de L'Armée de Terre (ALAT) was dramatically reorganized during the course of the 1990's. These reorganisations saw the disbandments of many units and the remainder realigned. Among these were all helicopter units based in Germany supporting the 1st, 3rd and 5th Armoured Division and their bases at Trier-Föhren, Friedrichshafen-Löwenheim (2RHC) and Baden Baden-Oos closed. Other major units which disbanded in France were the 7 Regiment Hélicoptères de Combat (7RHC) at Nancy-Essey and a number of smaller Light Helicopter Groups (Groupe d'Hélicoptères Légères (GHL). The ALAT saw its mission being shifted from one with a major anti-tank mission caused by massive Soviet tank armies based in the former German Democratic Republic to a flexible airmobile force capable of operating anywhere in the world at short notice.
Currently the ALAT is undergoing yet another restructuring which is due to be completed in 2002. Due to these reorganisations the exact current structure of the units under the ALAT is still not completely clear to us. All operational combat assets are currently organised under the 4 Brigade Aéromobile which was formed in July 1999.
Three regiments are reporting to this brigade being the 1 Regiment Hélicoptères de Combat (1RHC) at Phalsbourg, 3 Regiment Hélicoptères de Combat (3RHC) at Etain-Rouvres
and 5 Regiment Hélicoptères de Combat (5RHC) at Pau. Regiments are composed of flights specialized in carrying out various missions such as reconnaissance, anti-tank, escort and transport. Typically the first flight is the Escadrille d'Hélicoptères Reconnaissance (EHR) equipped with eight SA341F Gazelles. One or two Escadrille d'Hélicoptères d'Appui Protection (EHAP) are tasked with fire suppression and anti helicopter missions and equipped with eight SA341F2 Gazelles Canon or eight SA342ML1 Gazelle ATAM (Air to Air Missile) which is armed with four AATCP short range air to air missiles. The Escadrille d'Hélicoptères d'Attaque (EHA) is equipped with either ten SA342M Gazelle HOT or with ten upgraded SA342M1 Gazelle Viviane's. As a direct result of the decreased tank threat, the number of EHA's has decreased from twelve in 1989 to just four nowadays.
There are 68 NH90s on order which will replace the unmodified Pumas, while
the 45 modified Pumas will remain in service until all NH90s are in service. The
SA330s of DOAS will be replaced by 7 EC725 for combat SAR. All SA341 Gazelles
will be decommissioned in the next years while the SA342 Gazelles will be
replaced by the Tigres
At least two escadrilles are operating nine SA330Ba Puma or AS532U2 Cougar helicopters. These units are designated as Escadrille d'Hélicoptères de Manoeuvre. 1RHC also has the control of the Escadrille d'Hélicoptères Horizon (EH HOR). The EH HOR operates a small number of AS532's equipped with the HORIZON Battlefield surveillance radar. It is noteworthy that the 1RHC will be transformed into a specialised intelligence gathering regiment. In addition to the EH HOR, in 2002 the regiment will consist of two Puma flights, a Gazelle Viviane flight, a Gazelle Canon flight and possibly some Gazelle ATAM's. The unit will lose its three attack helicopter flights with its 30 SA342M's in the process.
Another main part of the ALAT is the Ecole d'Application de l'Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre (EA ALAT) which is responsible for the basis training of all French military helicopter pilots. In addition also students of some friendly foreign countries are being trained with the EA ALAT. Training is spread over two locations being Dax and Le Luc. Basic training is undertaken at Dax on the SA341F. ALAT pilots then proceed to Le Luc for their tactical training.
Other units exist to support additional commands in the French Army. The Escadrille d' Hélicoptères de 'l Armée de Terre (EHADT) is a dedicated VIP flight based at Compiègne operating the AS555 Fennec. The Escadrille d'Haute Montagne is based at Gap supporting the 27th Brigade d'Infanterie Montagne. The units Alouette III's have been replaced by a number of Gazelles. Another unit called the Détachement ALAT d'Opérations Spéciales (DAOS) has two escadrilles. One EHM is reportedly equipped with Puma's and Cougars. A EHAP is operating the Gazelle Canon and the Gazelle ATAM. The Groupement Aéromobile de la Section Technique de 'l Armée de Terre (GAMSTAT) at Valence is the test and evaluation unit of the ALAT. The unit is currently involved in the NH90, Cougar HORIZON and Tigre attack helicopter. The Escadrille Avions de l' Armée de Terre (EAAT) is the fixed wing unit of the ALAT and equipped with a number of TBM700's and Cessna F406 Caravan II's. The Etablissement Réserve Générale de Matériel ALAT (ERGM) at Montauban is operating two Pilatus PC6 Turbo Porters in support of the Montauban logistics centre. Various detachements are supporting French army units based abroad operating mainly Puma's and Gazelles.
|
AdlA Main Page
Order of Battle