Armée de l'Air

To train future multi-engine pilots after their initial training, in 1982 22 Embraer Xingu training aircraft were obtained. They can be seen all over Europe when their syllabus requires long range navigational flights.

(Schiphol, May 2012, Ben Uffen)

To assist in short range, small airport VIP transport, and for calibration flights, the AdlA acquired 18 TBM-700A aircraft in 1992. Fifteen of these aircraft were modified with a Garmin1000 cockpit, from 2012 on, to be able to navigate in the European skies.

(Orange/Caritat, September 2018, Ronald Oost)

Slowly but surely the Alpha Jet are being replaced within the AdlA in their trainer role by the PC-21. Only in the Aggressor role with EE 03.008 and in the demonstration team with Patrouille de France their continuous operation seems to be certain for now.

San Javier, July 2019, José Damián González Martínez)

To replace the Alpha Jet in the advanced trainer role, 26 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft are leased from Babcock and are operational from 2019. They are based on Cognac, where also advanced simulators are located to assist in the training syllabus.

(Cognac, July 2021, Jille Kammeraat)

The AdlA uses the CASA CN235 to operate as an air transport for medium range or operating from austere airports or airstrips. Its ruggedness and ease of maintenance are the strong points. The homebase of CN235 is Evreux.

(Eindhoven, Maart 2015, Niels Quist)

Another sturdy aircraft operated by the AdlA is the DeHavilland Canada DHC-6. Five of these aircraft were obtained in 1976 and they still operate from many undisclosed locations, hence the inconspicuous colour scheme.

(Gap, July 2014, Sjoerd Drost)

Beginning 2018, the AdlA received the first C-130J Hercules transporters from the order of 2 C-130Js and 2 KC-130Js. These will operate next to 14 C-130H aircraft who have received a mid-life update including a glass cockpit.

(Albacete, October 2015, Niels Quist)

Only four Super Puma helicopters are active with the AdlA: three stretched AS332L1 helicopers used for VIP tasks based at Villacoublay and one AS332C helicopter used for SAR task and based at Solenzara.

(Schiphol, March 2014, Ben Uffen)

Still going strong for the AdlA C-135 fleet although the end is near. From 1964, a total of 11 C-135F and 3 KC-135R Stratotankers were obtained. In 2010, 11 C-135F were modernised with modern avionics to continue to operate in European skies and designation changed to C-135FR. In 2015, also the KC-135Rs were modified and changed to KC-135RG.

(Eindhoven, April 2015, Etienne Geluk)

To address the shortfall in air refuelling capacity, and to replace the outdated C-135 fleet, the AdlA ordered the Airbus A330MRTT Phenix tanker. The total delivery will consist of 15 aircraft of which 12 have been delivered in 2023. The last three will be delivered in 2025-2028. They are equipped with fuselage boom and underwing hose-and-drogue units.

(Brize-Norton, December 2020, Kev Daws)

All French Rafale aircraft, including this Rafale C single seat fighter, will be updated to the variant F4.1 in 2022 and variant F4.2 in 2027. Updates will be mostly internal, with a new radar, helmet mounted display and IRST added to the optic system.

(Andravida, April 2021, Jurgen van Toor)

EC01.002 "Cigognes" is one of the few Escadrons which operates the Mirage 2000-5F

(Evreux July 2021, Frank Noort

First flight of the Mirage 2000D was on 19 Februari 1991 and a total of 86 Mirage 2000Ds were built between 1995 and 2001. These Mirage 2000Ds were deployed in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Force and ISAF) and Libya (Operation Harmattan and Unified Protector) as well as Northern Mali (Operation Serval and Barkhane).

(Leeuwarden, April 2019, Richard Baas)

The Mirage 2000D RMV project started in 2019 and will be completed in 2025. After this MLU, the Mirage 2000D will have improved air-to-ground with GBU-48 and GBU-80 guided bombs and air-to-air capabilities with MICA missiles, as well as an integrated and centralised navigation and attack system. 48 Mirage 2000Ds will be updated by DGA and will in service well after 2030.

(Evreux, July 2021, Dino van Doorn)

The AS555 Fennec 2 helicopter is in service from 1990 and is mainly used for general transport roles.

(Semmerzake, May 2013, Tom Buysse)

In 2021, exercise HEIFARA consisted of 2 A400M transporters, who took 30 tons of materials from France to Tahiti to assist in the strike flight of 3 Rafale F3Rs and 2 A330MRTT aircraft. Here at Langkawi the A400M assisted Rafale jets in a more peaceful demonstration role. In total 40 A400ms are on order.

(Langkawi, April 2015 Dietmar Fenners)

The newest fighter within the AdlA is the Dassault Rafale. Tranche 1 in 1993 included 13 Rafales, Tranche 2 in 1999 48. In 2004 with Tranche 3 59 Rafales were ordered. Tranche 4 in 2009 included 60 Rafales. With the follow-on order in 2023 for 42 Rafales of the F4 variant, to be delivered in 2025, and the order for 42 -F4 more in 2023, to be delivered from 2027 on, this will lead to a total of 234 Rafales in service with the AdlA in 2030.

(Saint Dizier/Robinson, August 2021, Frank Noort)

The AdlA uses the Jodel D140E and D140R for more than 50 years for the airborne launch of their gliders. They operate from Romorantin, Saintes and Salon de Provence.

(Montluçon-Gueret August 2021 Gerben Hazebroek)

Used for long-range VIP tasks, the AdlA has two Falcon 7x private jets, based normally at Villacoublay.

(Brussels-Zaventem, February 2022, Dino van Doorn)

For medium-range VIP tasks, the AdlA has two Falcon 2000LX private jets normally based at Villacoublay.

(Glasgow, January 2019, Douglas Connery)