Modern equipment and uniform of the French Army
Encyclopedia
Weapons
- MAC 50MAC mle 1950The MAC-50 is a standard semi-automatic pistol of the French army and adopted in 1950. It replaced the previous series of French pistols, the Modèle 1935A & Modèle 1935S, and was produced between 1950 and 1970....
- 9 mm - pistol - Manurhin MR73Manurhin MR 73The Manurhin MR73 is a French-manufactured, double-action revolver chambered in .38 Special/.357 Magnum. The revolver can be converted to 9mm Parabellum with a supplied replacement cylinder...
- .38 Spc/.357 Mag.357 MagnumThe .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
- revolver (GIGN only) - GIAT BM92-G1 (PAMAS-G1) - 9 mm - pistol (Gendarmerie, Air force & Army)
- HK USP - 9 mm - pistol (HK USP Compact for Navy, HK USP in Army)
- SIG SP 2022 - 9 mm - pistol (Gendarmerie)
- FAMAS - 5.56 mm5.56x45mm NATO5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
assault rifleAssault rifleAn assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies... - SIG 550 - 5.56 mm assault rifle (Navy, Army & Gendarmerie)
- HK416 - 5.56 mm assault rifle for special forces
- HK G36E - 5.56 mm assault rifle (Navy, Army & Gendarmerie)
- M4 & CAR15M4 CarbineThe M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
- 5.56 mm assault rifle used by French special forces - M16 rifleM16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
- 5.56 mm assault rifle used by French special forces - FR-F2 - 7.62 mm- sniper rifle
- FRG2 - 7.62 mm- sniper rifle in Air force
- PGM Ultima RatioPGM Ultima RatioThe PGM Ultima Ratio is a French-designed and manufactured sniper rifle. It uses the 7.62x51 mm NATO cartridge and can, depending on the variant, be chambered for several other cartridges. The PGM Ultima Ratio is intended to fulfill an anti-personnel role and is produced by PGM Précision of France...
- 7.62 mm- sniper rifle - HK G3 - 7.62 mm- DMR rifle
- HK417 - 7.62 mm- DMR rifle for French special forces
- Sako TRG-42Sako TRGSako TRG-22/42 sniper rifles were developed by the Finnish firearm manufacturer SAKO of Riihimäki. The TRG-22 is designed to fire standard .308 Winchester ammunition, while the TRG-42 is designed to fire more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition and therefore has a...
- 300 Winchester Magnum- sniper rifle for French special forces - PGM Hecate IIPGM Hecate IIThe Hecate II is the standard heavy sniper rifle of the French Army, sometimes known as the FR-12,7 .It is manufactured by PGM Précision of France...
- 12.7 mm.50 BMGThe .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
heavy sniper rifle - MAT-49MAT-49The MAT-49 was a submachine gun developed by French arms factory Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle for use by the French Army.-Development:...
- 9 mm - SMG - HK MP5Heckler & Koch MP5The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
- 9 mm - MP5F by HK & GIAT - HK UMPHeckler & KochHeckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
- 9 mm - SMG - Mini UZI- 9 mm - SMG
- LGI Mle F1LGI Mle F1The lance-grenade individuel Mle F1 is a French close-support weapon infantry weapon designed to be used by one man, which provides soldiers with a lightweight indirect-fire support weapon akin to a small mortar...
- individual grenade launcher - FN MINIMIFN MinimiThe Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of over thirty countries...
- 5.56 mm & 7.62 mm light machine gun - ANF1AA-52The AA-52 is one of the first French-produced guns of the post World War II era. It was manufactured by MAS...
- 7.62 mm light machine gun - FN MAGFN MAGThe FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the...
- light machine gun - M2 - 12.7 mm.50 BMGThe .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
heavy machine gun - APILASAPILASAPILAS is a portable one-shot 112 mm recoilless anti-tank weapon, designed in France by GIAT Industries...
- anti-tank rocket launcher - AT4 CSAT4The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, portable, single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon built in Sweden by Saab Bofors Dynamics...
- anti-tank rocket launcher - ERYXERYXERYX is a short-range portable SACLOS-based wire-guided anti-tank missile produced by European company MBDA. It is used by several countries, including the Canadian Army, French, and Norwegian armies. The weapon can also be used against bunkers and pillboxes. It also has some capability in the...
and MILANMILANMILAN " is French and German for "kite bird") is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the...
- anti-tank missiles (now Milan II)
The Glock 17 is used by certain naval and parachute units of the French Army.
Other equipment
- SPECTRA helmetSPECTRA helmetThe SPECTRA helmet or CGF Gallet Combat Helmet is the ballistic helmet currently in use in the French military, as well as in the armies of several other countries. Built by CGF Gallet , it weighs , is available in two sizes, and is made from Spectra fibers, produced under license from Honeywell...
- FélinFélinFÉLIN is the name for the French infantry combat system of the 2000s....
- infantry combat system
Tanks
- LeclercLeclercThe AMX-56 Leclerc, commonly known as the Leclerc, is a main battle tank built by Nexter of France. It was named in honour of General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque who led the French element of the drive towards Paris while in command of the Free French 2nd Armoured Division in World War...
- main battle tank (406) - AMX 10 RCAMX 10 RCThe AMX-10RC is a wheeled recon vehicle and tank destroyer built by GIAT. Over 300 are in service in the French Army. 120 additional vehicles were sold to Morocco and Qatar ....
- light tank (300) - ERC 90 SagaieERC 90 SagaieThe Panhard ERC 90 is a French six-wheeled armoured all terrain vehicle which is highly mobile and amphibious with an option of being NBC-proof. While various models were tested, only two versions of the ERC were developed and produced: the Lynx and the Sagaie...
- reconnaissance combat vehicle (192) - AMX 30B2AMX 30The AMX-30 is a main battle tank designed by GIAT, first delivered to the French Army in 1966. The first five tanks were issued to the 501st Régiment de Chars de Combat in August of that year. The production version of the AMX-30 weighed , and sacrificed protection for increased mobility...
- main battle tank (17 used for OPFOR training)
Armoured personnel carriers
- AMX-10PAMX-10PThe AMX-10P is a French infantry fighting vehicle. It was developed after 1965 to replace the AMX-VCI in French service, and the first prototypes were completed in 1968. It has NBC protection and amphibious capabilities, with hydro jets to swim in water...
- tracked armoured personnel carrier (1050) - Véhicule de l'Avant BlindéVéhicule de l'Avant BlindéThe Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé or VAB is an armoured personnel carrier and support vehicle designed by the Euro Mobilité Division of GIAT Industries of France. It entered service in 1976; around 5,000 were produced.- Design :The VAB was designed as a wheeled troop transporter, complementing the...
(VAB) - wheeled armoured personnel carrier (3800) - Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL) - light armoured vehicle (1100)
- Petit Véhicule ProtégéPetit Véhicule ProtégéThe Petit Véhicule Protégé is a light, general-purpose armoured 4-wheel drive vehicle used by the French Army. It is also designated as Auverland A4 AVL . Built by Auverland, it is the successor to the Peugeot P4...
- small protected vehicle (354 and 1500 from 2015) - Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'InfanterieVéhicule Blindé de Combat d'InfanterieThe Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed to replace the AMX-10P. They joined active service in 2008, with 630 vehicles ordered up to 2010...
(VBCI) - armoured personnel carrier (200 active, 700 total order) - Véhicule articulé chenillé Haute MobilitéBandvagn 206Bandvagn 206 is a tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier developed by Hägglunds for the Swedish Army. It consists of two units, with all four tracks powered...
(VHM) - armoured personnel carrier (12 active, 191 on order) - Buffalo (mine protected vehicle)Buffalo (mine protected vehicle)The Buffalo mine protected vehicle is a wheeled armored vehicle built by Force Protection Inc. It was designed based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle. While the Casspir is a four wheeled vehicle, the Buffalo has six wheels. Buffalo is also fitted with a large...
(5) - Nexter AravisNexter AravisThe Aravis is a 4x4, mine-resistant, ambush protected vehicle developed and built by Nexter. An order for 15 Aravis vehicles was placed by the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement in April 2009 for use by the French Army as a reconnaissance and escort vehicle for engineer units...
(15) - Sherpa 3 (33 ordered)
Unarmoured vehicles
- Peugeot P4Peugeot P4The P4 is an unarmoured off-road vehicle used by the military of France. It was manufactured by Peugeot but is now manufactured by Panhard. It is to be replaced with the PVP by Panhard. The P4 is a militarised Mercedes Geländewagen marketed by Peugeot for the French military...
- utility 4x4 vehicle (13 500) - TRM 10000 - heavy truck
- TRM 2000 - medium truck
- GBC 180 - medium truck (5500)
- VLRAACMATACMAT , is a French producer of cross-country and tactical military vehicles since 1958...
- light truck - VPSVPSVPS may refer to:*Virtual private server, a method of partitioning a physical server computer into multiple servers*Vaasan Palloseura, a Finnish football club*Vietnamese Professionals Society, international organization...
- Special Forces
Surface to surface artillery
- AMX 30 AuF1 - 155 mm self-propelled howitzerHowitzerA howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
(174) - LRMM270 Multiple Launch Rocket SystemThe M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the...
- multiple rocket launcher (41) - CAESAR - 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer (77)
- TRF1TRF1The 155mm towed cannon Tr-F1 is a French towed howitzer produced by Nexter and used by the French army.-Performance:*Setting out of battery: 2 min*Crossing of slopes of 60%, fords of 1.20m....
- 155 mm towed howitzer (105) - RTF1Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1The MO-120 RT-61 or MO-120-RT is a heavy mortar of French origin. It was designed by Thomson-Brandt as the successor for the MO-120 AM-50...
- 120 mm mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
(361) - LLR 81 mmLLR 81mmThe Mortier de 81mm léger long renforcé is a mortar used by the French Army. It is the latest iteration of the TDA 81 mm light mortar family, introduced in 1997.The original TDA 81 mm was designed in 1961...
mortar
Anti-aircraft artillery
- MistralMistral missileMistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European multinational company MBDA missile systems . Based on the French SATCP , the portable missile later to become the Mistral began development in 1974...
- very short-range surface-to-air missile - Roland 2Roland (air defence)The Roland is a Franco-German mobile short-range surface-to-air missile system. The Roland was also purchased by the U.S. Army as one of very few foreign SAM systems....
- short-range surface-to-air missile (80) - 20 mm Mle F220 mm modèle F2 gun- History :The need for a newer 20 mm defence cannon than the Oerlikon 20 mm cannon began to grow noticeably during the 1980s. The companies DCN and GIAT were contracted to design the F2 20 mm cannon, which essentially a navalised version of the M693 gun used by the French Army, and sold for...
- anti-aircraft gun
Helicopters
- TigreEurocopter TigerThe Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. In Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre.-Origins:...
- attack (80) - NH-90NHI NH90The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
- tactical transport (68 to replace the Puma from 2011) - FennecEurocopter EcureuilThe Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil is a single-engined light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale . The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar...
- training/liaison (18) - CougarEurocopter Cougar-See also:-External links:* *...
- tactical transport (23) - PumaAérospatiale PumaThe Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France.-Development:...
- tactical transport (90) - GazelleAérospatiale GazelleThe Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
- attack, reconnaissance and utility (265) - Cougar Horizon - airborne battlefield surveillance radar (4)
UAVs
- Crecerelle - tactical reconnaissance (12)
- CL-289Canadair CL-89|- References :* Personal experience in Canadair Design Office 1952-75* Picker & Milberry, Canadair - The First 50 Years, CANAV ISBN 0-921022-07-7...
- tactical reconnaissance (54) - SperwerSAGEM Sperwer-External links:*** Defense Industry Daily - * Defense Industry Daily -...
- tactical reconnaissance (18)
Aeroplanes
- TBM 700Socata TBM|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5....
- liaison/utility (8) - Pilatus PC-6Pilatus PC-6|-See also:-References:* Lambert, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–1994. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0 7106 1066 1.* Taylor, John W. R. Janes's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965....
- light transport (5) - Reims-Cessna 406 Caravan IICessna 406|-See also:-References:*Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Defence Data, 1988. ISBN 01706-0867-5.* -External links:* *...
- liaison/utility (2)
Dress uniform
Kepi
The kepi is a cap with a flat circular top and a visor or peak . Etymologically, the word is a borrowing of the French képi, itself a respelling of the Alemannic Käppi: a diminutive form of Kappe, meaning "cap"....
s, sash
Sash
A sash is a cloth belt used to hold a robe together, and is usually tied about the waist. The Japanese equivalent of a sash, obi, serves to hold a kimono or yukata together. Decorative sashes may pass from the shoulder to the hip rather than around the waist...
es, fringed epaulette
Epaulette
Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or "passant", a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the...
s, fourragère
Fourragère
The fourragère is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, that is shaped as a braided cord. The award has been firstly adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.- History :...
s and other traditional items on appropriate occasions. The most commonly worn parade dress however consists of camouflage uniforms worn with the dress items noted above.
The legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
wear white kepis, blue sashes and green and red epaulettes as dress uniform, while the French Marines wear blue and red kepis and yellow epaulettes. The sappers of the French Foreign Legion wear the basic legionnaire uniform but with leather aprons and gloves. The Chasseurs alpins wear a large beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
, known as the "tarte" (the pie) with dark blue or white mountain outfits. The Sphahis retain the long white cloak or "burnous" of the regiment's origin as North African cavalry.
Sailors of the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
and Fusiliers Marins wear a dress uniform dating from the nineteenth century with a distinctive red pom-pom on the crown of the round cap.
The infantry and cavalry of the Republican Guard retain their late 19th century dress uniforms, as do the military cadets of Saint-Cyr
École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
The École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr is the foremost French military academy. Its official name is . It is often referred to as Saint-Cyr . Its motto is "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre": literally "They study to vanquish" or "Training for victory"...
and the École Polytechnique
École Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research in Palaiseau, Essonne, France, near Paris. Polytechnique is renowned for its four year undergraduate/graduate Master's program...
. A medium blue evening dress for officers is now seldom seen but individual branches or regiments may parade bands or "fanfares" in historic dress dating as far back as the Napoleonic period.
External links
- Official website of the French Ministry of Defense (in French)
- Les hélicoptères de l'armée de terre : situation et perspectives - Report from the French Senate (in French)
- Le rôle des drones dans les armées - Report from the French Senate (in French)
- Projet de loi de finances pour 2003 : Forces terrestres - Report from the French Senate (in French)
- Projet de loi de finances pour 2007 : Défense - Forces terrestres - Report from the French Senate (in French)