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| - | ==Units==
| + | The '''French Army''', officially the '''Land Army''' (French: ''Armée de Terre''), is the land-based component of the [[France|French]] military and its largest. As of 2007, the army employs 402,000 regular soldiers, 46,500 reservists, and 77,250 civilians. All soldiers are considered professionals; the country does not have conscription. Soldiers strictly adhere to the principles and values laid out in the ''Code of the French Soldier'': |
| - | ===Active===
| + | |
| - | * 40 infantry divisions (720,000)
| + | |
| - | * 8 mountain infantry divisions (144,000)
| + | |
| - | * 12 armored cavalry divisions (216,000)
| + | |
| - | * 2 airborne divisions (36,000)
| + | |
| - | * 2 airmobile divisions (36,000)
| + | |
| - | * 50 artillery regiments (150,000)
| + | |
| - | * 10 marine divisions (180,000)
| + | |
| - | ** 6 marine infantry divisions (108,000)
| + | |
| - | ** 4 marine artillery divisions (72,000)
| + | |
| - | * 16 special forces brigades (80,000)
| + | |
| - | * 2 light aviation brigades (10,000)
| + | |
| - | * 8 logistics/engineer brigades (40,000)
| + | |
| - | * 10 Foreign Legion regiments (30,000)
| + | |
| - | * 4 Royal Guard divisions (72,000)
| + | |
| - | :''Total'': 1,894,000
| + | |
| | | | |
| - | ===Reserves===
| + | "Mastering his own strength, he respects his opponent and is careful to spare civilians. He obeys orders while respecting laws, customs of war and international conventions. He is aware of global societies and respects their differences." |
| - | * 20 infantry divisions (360,000)
| + | |
| - | * 4 mountain infantry divisions (72,000)
| + | |
| - | * 6 armored cavalry divisions (108,000)
| + | |
| - | * 1 airborne division (18,000)
| + | |
| - | * 1 airmobile division (18,000)
| + | |
| - | * 25 artillery regiments (75,000)
| + | |
| - | * 5 marine divisions (90,000)
| + | |
| - | ** 3 marine infantry divisions (54,000)
| + | |
| - | ** 2 marine artillery divisions (36,000)
| + | |
| - | * 8 special forces brigades (40,000)
| + | |
| - | * 1 light aviation brigade (5,000)
| + | |
| - | * 4 logistics/engineer brigades (20,000)
| + | |
| - | * 2 Royal Guard divisions (36,000)
| + | |
| - | :''Total'': 932,000
| + | |
| | | | |
| - | ==Equipment==
| + | French soldiers are renowned for their motivation, commitment to duty, loyalty to country and King, and high standards of training. The French Army is regarded by most as one of the best in the world. The bulk of its equipment is of domestic origin, although France also purchases some hardware from its allies, notably the United States of America. |
| - | ===Individual Weapons===
| + | |
| - | * FAMAS Assault Rifle
| + | |
| - | * FN FAL Battle Rifle
| + | |
| - | * FR F2 Sniper Rifle
| + | |
| - | * PGM Hecate II Heavy Sniper Rifle
| + | |
| - | * GIAT BM92-G1 Pistol
| + | |
| - | * LRAC F1 Shoulder-Launched Missile Weapon
| + | |
| - | * APILAS Recoilless Anti-Tank Weapon
| + | |
| - | * FN MAG General Purpose Machine Gun
| + | |
| - | * FN Minimi Light Machine Gun
| + | |
| - | * FN P90 Submachine Gun
| + | |
| - | * FN PS90 Carbine
| + | |
| - | * Franchi SPAS-15 Shotgun
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| | | | |
| - | ===Armored Vehicles===
| + | The King of France (currently Henri VI) is the designated commander-in-chief of the French Army (as well as the other components of the armed forces), as prescribed by the constitution. In practice, however, the King's role is mainly titular and ceremonial, and ''de facto'' administration and command of the military is relegated to the Ministry of Defense, which carries out these functions on the King's behalf. Commanding the French Army is the distinguished Field Marshal François Bordereau. |
| - | * Leclerc Main Battle Tank
| + | |
| - | ** Leclerc AZUR: Urban warfare variant
| + | |
| - | ** Leclerc EPG: Armored engineering variant
| + | |
| - | ** Leclerc DNG: Repair variant
| + | |
| - | ** Lerclerc MARS: Tugboat tank
| + | |
| - | ** Leclerc EAU: "Tropicalized" variant
| + | |
| - | * AMX 30 Main Battle Tank
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 D: Repair tank
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 AuF1: 155mm self-propelled howitzer
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 EBG: Armored engineering vehicle
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 ROLAND: Roland ground-air missile system
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 PLUTON: Pluton tactical nuclear missile
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 B2: Improved version with new onboard computers
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 EBD: Armored minesweeper
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 BRENUS: Improved version with reactive armor
| + | |
| - | ** AMX 30 FORAD: Cosmetically modified version, to play the role of foreign tanks during exercises
| + | |
| - | * AMX-13 Light Tank
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13 [DTT]: Initial vehicles with the turret of the M24 Chaffee converted into a driver training tank. Gun removed.
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13/75 Modèle 51: High-velocity 75 mm Gun in FL-11 turret as installed in Panhard EBR armouted car and 2 top rollers
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13/75 Modèle 51: High-velocity 75 mm Gun in FL-11 turret and 4 top rollers and revised stowage
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13 T75 (Char Lance SS-11): Fitted with SS-11 ATGM launchers
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13 T75 avec TCA: Fitted with an electronic guidance system for the missiles
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13/90 Modèle 52: FL-10 turret refitted with the F3 90mm gun
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| - | ** AMX-13/90 LRF: Fitted with laser rangefinder
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13/105 Modèle 58: Fitted with 105 Gun mm in FL-12 turret
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13/105: Upgraded export version of the Modele 58 with thermal sleeve and revised hull front
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13 Model 1987: Late production version
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-DCA aka AMX-13/S530: SPAAG version armed with two HS 831 30mm cannons
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-DCA 30 aka Bitube de 30mm anti-aérien automoteur, Oeil Noir: SPAAG version with radar fitted
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13 [Training Tank]: AMX-13 with turret removed and used for driver training
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13 Modèle 55 (AMX-D): Recovery version
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-13 PDP (Poseur De Pont) Modèle 51: Scissors-type bridgelayer
| + | |
| - | * AMX-10P Infantry Fighting Vehicle
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-10P: Variant with Milan or HOT ATGM launcher
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-10P/Milan: ATGM launcher vehicle, with two launchers
| + | |
| - | ** AMX/HOT: ATGM launcher vehicle (Toucan II turret, 4 launchers)
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-10 TM: Mortar carrier towing 120mm RT-61 mortar
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| - | ** AMX-10 PAC 90: Fire support/AT variant with Giat 90mm gun
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| - | ** AMX-10P Marine: Improved swim variant w/ 12.7/25/90mm gun
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-10 PC: Command variant with varied command stations
| + | |
| - | ** AMX-10 RC: Wheeled (6x6) fire support vehicle with 105mm gun
| + | |
| - | * ERC 90 Sagaie Armored Fighting Vehicle
| + | |
| - | ** EMC 91: Fire support version armed with 81mm mortar in an Hispano-Suiza EMC turret
| + | |
| - | ** ERC 20: Anti-aircraft version with 2x20 mm autocannons
| + | |
| - | ** ERC 60-20: Fitted with Hispano-Suiza 60-20 Serval turret armed with a 60mm mortar and a 20mm autocannon
| + | |
| - | ** ERC 90 (Diesel): Fitted with a diesel engine
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| - | ** ERC 90 F1: Fitted with the Hispano-Suiza Lynx 90 turret
| + | |
| - | ** ERC 90 Sagaie: Fitted with GIAT TS 90 turret
| + | |
| - | ** ERC 90 Sagaie 2: Slightly larger version fitted with twin engines and improved turret
| + | |
| - | ** VCR: APC based on ECR
| + | |
| - | * Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie Armored Fighting Vehicle
| + | |
| - | ** VCI: Infantry Combat Vehicle
| + | |
| - | ** VPC: Command Post Vehicle
| + | |
| - | * Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé Armored Personnel Carrier
| + | |
| - | ** Anti-tank missile launcher (HOT missiles)
| + | |
| - | ** 12.7mm turret
| + | |
| - | ** 20mm turret
| + | |
| - | ** VBRG: Riot control variant
| + | |
| - | * VXB Armored Personnel Carrier
| + | |
| - | * Véhicule Blindé Léger Armored Car
| + | |
| - | ** VBL MILAN: Anti-tank medium range (up to 2000 meters)
| + | |
| - | ** VBL ERYX: Anti-tank short range (up to 600 meters)
| + | |
| - | ** VB2L POSTE DE COMMANDEMENT: Command version
| + | |
| - | ** VBL RECO 12.7: Reconnaissance version
| + | |
| - | ** VBL AT4CS: Anti-tank short range (<250 meters)
| + | |
| - | * AMX 10 RC Armored Car
| + | |
| - | * VBC-90 6x6 Armored Car
| + | |
| - | * Panhard EBR 8x8 Armored Car
| + | |
| - | * Panhard AML 4x4 Light Armored Car
| + | |
| - | ** AML 60: 60mm breech loading mortar and a 7.62mm machine gun
| + | |
| - | ** AML 60 HE60-7: 60mm breech loading mortar and 2x12.7mm machine gun
| + | |
| - | ** AML 60 HE60-12: 60mm breech loading mortar and a 12.7mm machine gun
| + | |
| - | ** AML 60 HE60-20: 60mm breech loading mortar and a 20mm cannon
| + | |
| - | ** AML 60 S530: Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon with dual 20mm cannons
| + | |
| - | ** AML 90: 90mm gun
| + | |
| - | ** AML 90 Lynx: Hispano-Suiza designed turret with a 90mm GIAT F1 gun, night equipment of vision, and telemeters laser
| + | |
| - | * Petit Véhicule Protégé 4x4 Light Armored Car
| + | |
| - | * SK-105 Kurassier Tank Destroyer
| + | |
| - | * Wiesel AWC Airborne Armored Fighting Vehicle
| + | |
| - | ** Wiesel 1
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 Aufklärung: Reconnaissance
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 ATM HOT: Anti-tank vehicle fitted with HOT missiles
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 ATM HOT Variant 1: Fitted with UTM-800 turret
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 Radar: Fitted with RATAC-S multi-purpose radar
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 ATM TOW: Anti-tank vehicle fitted with TOW missiles
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 ATM TOW Resupply: Cargo carrier fitted with racks for TOW missiles
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 BTM208: Fitted with a SAMM BTM208 turret armed with a FN MAG and a M2HB machine guns
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 MK20: Fire support version with a Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh202 20mm cannon
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 MK20 Variant 1: Upgraded with new sight
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 1 MK25: 25mm armed version
| + | |
| - | ** Wiesel 2
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 BF/UF (LeFlaSys Command): Air defense unit command post
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 AFF (LeFlaSys Radar): Fitted with air defense radar
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Ozelot (LeFlaSys Launcher): fitted with air defence missile launcher
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Ozelot (LeFlaSys Launcher Variant 1): Retrofitted with box-type launchers
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Ambulance
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 APC: 2 + 4 crew armored personnel carrier
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Command: Battalion command post
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Mortar: 120mm mortar
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Mortar Variant 1: Mortar version with external supports
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Argus: Reconnaissance
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Carrier: Ammunition resupply
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Pionier: Combat engineer reconnaissance
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 Primus: Reconnaissance and fire control
| + | |
| - | *** Wiesel 2 ATM HOT: Anti-tank vehicle fitted with HOT missiles
| + | |
| - | * CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer
| + | |
| - | * M1097 Avenger Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System
| + | |
| - | * MIM-72/M48 Chaparral Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System
| + | |
| | | | |
| - | ===Support Vehicles===
| |
| - | * Petit Véhicule Protégé Light General-Purpose Truck
| |
| - | * Peugeot P4 Unarmored Off-Road Vehicle
| |
| - | * Renault Sherpa 2 Light Tactical Truck
| |
| - | * VLRA Reconnaissance Truck
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.15 SM3: 12 man transport
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.15 STL: General purpose transport
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.15 FSP: Long-range patrol vehicle
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.15 LRM: Multiple rocket launcher carrier
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| - | ** TPK 4.15 ASPIC: Weapons carrier
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| - | ** TPK 4.15 PACF: Weapons carrier
| |
| - | ** TTK 4.20 BL: Armored variant
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.20 SC: 2500-liter tanker version
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.20 PCR: Radio Command Post
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.20 SL7: Light recovery duty vehicle
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.20 SM2: Troop carrier
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| - | ** TPK 4.20 SAM: Ambulance
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.20 VCT: Command and transmission vehicle
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.20 VPL2: Scout car
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| - | ** TPK 4.20M ALM: Cargo
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.25 SAm: Ambulance
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.30 BUS: 28 passenger bus (short chassis) or 34 passenger (long chassis)
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| - | ** TPK 4.30 SAM: Workshop
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.35 SCM: Mechanical handling vehicle
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| - | ** TPK 4.35 SM: Troop carrier
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.35 SM2: Truck
| |
| - | ** TPK 4.35 VPC: Convoy protection vehicle/weapons carrier
| |
| - | * Engin Blindé du Génie Armored Engineering Vehicle
| |
| - | * Engin Principal du Génie Armored Engineering Vehicle
| |
| - | * Engin de Franchissement de l'Avant Bridge/Ferry
| |
| | | | |
| - | ===Artillery===
| |
| - | * Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 Heavy Mortar
| |
| - | * Brandt 60mm LR Gun-Mortar
| |
| - | * M252 81mm Mortar
| |
| - | * M120 120mm Mortar
| |
| - | * TRF1 155mm Towed Howitzer
| |
| - | * LG1 105mm Towed Howitzer
| |
| - | * M119 A1 105mm Towed Howitzer
| |
| - | * G5 155mm Towed Howitzer
| |
| - | * G7 105mm Towed Howitzer
| |
| - | * M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
| |
| | | | |
| - | ===Missiles===
| |
| - | * ERYX Anti-Tank Guided Missile
| |
| - | * Euromissile HOT Anti-Tank Guided Missile
| |
| - | * MILAN Anti-Tank Guided Missile
| |
| - | * Crotale Surface-to-Air Missile
| |
| - | * Mistral Surface-to-Air Missile
| |
| - |
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| - | ===Helicopters===
| |
| - | * Eurocopter Tiger Attack Helicopter
| |
| - | * Eurocopter Cougar Medium Utility Helicopter
| |
| - | * Aérospatiale Puma Medium Utility Helicopter
| |
| - | * Eurocopter Fennec Light Multipurpose Helicopter
| |
| - | * Aérospatiale Gazelle Utility/Attack Helicopter
| |
| - | * C-130 Hercules STOL Transport Aircraft
| |
| | | | |
| | [[Category:Armies]] | | [[Category:Armies]] |
| | [[Category:Military of France|Army]] | | [[Category:Military of France|Army]] |
"Mastering his own strength, he respects his opponent and is careful to spare civilians. He obeys orders while respecting laws, customs of war and international conventions. He is aware of global societies and respects their differences."
French soldiers are renowned for their motivation, commitment to duty, loyalty to country and King, and high standards of training. The French Army is regarded by most as one of the best in the world. The bulk of its equipment is of domestic origin, although France also purchases some hardware from its allies, notably the United States of America.
The King of France (currently Henri VI) is the designated commander-in-chief of the French Army (as well as the other components of the armed forces), as prescribed by the constitution. In practice, however, the King's role is mainly titular and ceremonial, and de facto administration and command of the military is relegated to the Ministry of Defense, which carries out these functions on the King's behalf. Commanding the French Army is the distinguished Field Marshal François Bordereau.
