The Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique ("Aeronautical Service"), a service arm of the French Army, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as the Armée de l'Air. On 11 September 2020, it assumed its current name, the French Air and Space Force, to reflect an "evolution of its mission" into the area of outer space.
The Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (CEMAAE) is a direct subordinate of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CEMA), a high-ranking military officer who in turn answers to the civilian Minister of the Armed Forces.
Establishment of the Service Aéronautique
The founding of the Service Aéronautique began in 1909, when the French War Minister approved the purchase of a Wright Biplane. The following year, another Wright biplane, a Bleriot, and two Farmans were added to the lone acquisition. On 22 October 1910, General Pierre Roques was appointed Inspector General of what was becoming referred to as the Cinquieme Arme, or Fifth Service. In March 1912, the French parliament enacted legislation to establish the air arm. It was projected to consist of three distinct branches based on aircraft missions—reconnaissance, bombing, or countering other aircraft.
Cold war period
In 1985, the Air Force had four major flying commands, the Strategic Air Forces Command, the Tactical Air Forces Command, the Military Air Transport Command, and CAFDA (air defence). CFAS had two squadrons of S2 and S-3 IRBMs at the Plateau d'Albion, six squadrons of Mirage IVAs (at Mont de Marsan, Cazaux, Orange, Istres, St Dizier, and EB 3/94 at Luxeuil – Saint-Sauveur Air Base), and three squadrons of C-135F, as well as a training/reconnaissance unit, CIFAS 328, at Bordeaux. The tactical air command included wings EC 3, EC 4, EC 7, EC 11, EC 13, and ER 33, with a total of 19 squadrons of Mirage III, Jaguars, two squadrons flying the Mirage 5F (EC 2/13 and EC 3/13, both at Colmar), and a squadron flying the Mirage F.1CR. CoTAM counted 28 squadrons, of which ten were fixed-wing transport squadrons, and the remainder helicopter and liaison squadrons, at least five of which were overseas. CAFDA numbered 14 squadrons mostly flying the Mirage F.1C. Two other commands had flying units, the Air Force Training Command, and the Air Force Transmissions Command, with four squadrons and three trials units.
Rebuild after the Peace Dividend
The French Air Force entered a phase of inventory replacement and expansion, after the increased threat and aggression from Russia and China. The Air Force ordered the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft to improve their transport fleet. By November 2016, 11 had already been delivered to ET00.061 at Orleans-Bricy. Integration of the new Dassault Rafale multi-role jet fighter is underway; the first 20-aircraft squadron became operational in 2006 at Saint-Dizier. The Mirage 2000D was modernized, while the Mirage 2000 is being phased out and replaced by the Rafale. Training was improved by acquiring the PC-7 Mk.X and the PC-21.
2026 Budget and future plans
Planned deliveries for the air force in 2026 will just be one Rafale, one A330MRTT, one Beech 350 (last of the three) and two A400Ms. The air force is likely ordering two additional Rafales. After 2026 it is expected that another 52 Rafales will be ordered. Further plans include ordering more A400s, bringing the total from the current 26 to 37.
In 2026 the navy will see the delivery of the first three of twelve Falcon 2000 Albatros aircraft. Early 2026 the first one will go to CEPA for testing/certification, while 24F will receive their first operational aircraft in early 2027. From 2026, five of the Falcon 50s of 24F will go to 25F to replace their Falcon 200 Gardians. 25F will receive their own Falcon 2000 Albatros by 2030. The Falcon 10MERs of 57S will be replaced by the already ordered PC-24s from 2026. The ordered E-2D Hawkeyes will arrive in 2027, the E-2Cs will be retired in 2030. The last of eighteen modified Atlantiques, the so called Standard 6, will be delivered in 2026, while at the same time an order for its replacement will be made. Ten to twelve A321MPAs are likely to be ordered. The navy will also be looking for, together with the air force, a replacement for the EMB121 Xingu.
Next year the army will see the delivery of the first special forces NH90FS. Unit 4RHFS at Pau will get the first four of the eighteen on order. Also in 2026, the last six converted Tigres (from HAP to HAD standard) will be delivered. They plan to keep the Tigre flying till 2045. In 2026 3RHC at Etain will lose their last SA330 Pumas. The GIH (Groupement Interarmées d’Helicoptères) at Villacoublay will remain using the Pumas till 2028 when they will be replaced by Cougars. In the summer of 2026 the army will transfer their eight EC725 Caracals to the air force. The first of the Gazelle replacement, the H160M Guepard is expected in 2028 at the EALAT Le Luc and in 2029 with 3RHC at Etain. In the coming years the army will be looking into the replacement of the EC120s, Fennecs, TBM700s and PC6 aircraft.
