Having started in 1996, there are still two years to go
before the French Army completes its process of "restructuration"
and professionalization to be funded under the 1997-2002 military
programming law. While requiring the retention of a full spectrum of
capabilities from warfighting ("coercition des forces") to
operations other than war ("maitrise de la violence"), the law's
objective has essentially been to change the orientation of the armed
forces from one of deterrence to one of action, possessing the attendant
rapid external deployment capability needed for crisis prevention. The
process will see its army personnel cut from 236,000 troops (including
132,000 conscripts) divided between three corps each of three divisions,
to 138,000 mostly regular troops (16,000 officers; 50,000 NCOs; 66,500
other ranks; and 5,500 short-service volunteers) divided for
administrative purposes between 10 maneuver brigades (including the
Franco-German brigade) and six specialist brigades (logistics, signals,
artillery, engineer and intelligence). They will be supported by a
34,000-strong permanent civilian workforce. All told, the planned force
levels are intended to be sufficient to support a maximum force of 50,000
troops committed to a major NATO-led (Article V) high-intensity operation
in Europe
According to Marescaux, there are now three areas of
equipment priority, "the first two of which are inexpensive compared
with the third." The first priority is information systems,
particularly in relation to interoperability of HQs, a European-wide
problem. Ideally there would be a single international system, but he said
it would be unrealistic to expect it to be French. The second priority is
intelligence systems, and the third is "everything that might be
required by crisis reaction forces", in the way of protection,
precision weaponry and air mobility.
Protection covers such things as armored vehicles and
ballistic protection (such as the French Army's FELIN soldier
modernization system, and the 600 Véhicules de Combat d'Infanterie [VCIs]
it is planning to buy at FFr13 million apiece) and air defense (Roland
improvements and SAMP). "We are still studying the trade-offs between
munitions such as the Bonus and laser-guided projectiles in the class of
Krasnopol, or fiber-optic missiles like the TRIFOM project. We are a bit
short of support helicopters. The Super Pumas are wearing out faster than
anticipated as a result of the higher optempo we now have to deal with.
The current programming law does not envisage introduction of the
successor NH90 helicopter until 2010, with the first units going to the
Navy.
Joint exercises and training have gone up by a factor of
three or four, though mostly at operational or strategic levels.
Operations are conducted on a joint basis, under the aegis of the joint
chiefs of staff (CEMA = Chef d'État Major des Armées), and there has
been joint procurement and joint formulation of operational requirements
in the last three years .'' In multinational operations we desirably do
not operate at levels below a brigade - in low-intensity situations you
can mix battalions within a brigade, but at medium level we say the
smallest national unit should be a brigade, and in high intensity
operations a division." The Franco-German brigade is an exception,
being trained for high-intensity warfare. "Most of us know that such
mixing is not the most efficient way in operational terms, but it is
certainly effective at the political level." Nonetheless it would go
to war as a brigade, he said, noting its operational language is now
English, and that its fire support arrangements "really work".To
judge from the assessments of those foreign contingents alongside which
the French Army now serves, French troops have been returning highly
creditable performances on operations. These they have achieved despite
current upheavals and anomalies, and by their own reckoning they should
get better yet - provided the circle of politics, economics,commitments
and resources can be squared.
Equipment of the French Army :
Main Battle Tanks :
- Leclerc
The Leclerc was first operational with the French Army in
1992 and with UAE in 1995. Leclerc Mk 2 tanks with improved software and
engine control system entered production in 1998. The French Army has over
200 Leclerc MBT s in service and in September 2001 ordered the final
tranche of 52, concluding a total order of 406.The principal armament is a
gun of 120 mm with a smooth bore and a length of 52 calibers, drawing all
types of ammunition with combustible casings with standard NATO. A total
of 40 shells can be embarked, including 22 in automatic loading. The
secondary armament is one 12.7 mm machine-gun and one 7.62 mm machine-gun
in the superstructure.
- AMX-30B2
Giat Industries has built and delivered to a dozen armies
almost 2,300 AMX 30 main battle tanks, as well as many derivative versions
(155 GCT self-propelled howitzers, anti-aircraft missile or gun systems,
armoured recovery vehicles, etc.). The AMX 30 B2 is an improved version of
the AMX 30, either by rebuilding or by production of new tanks, equipped
with an automatic fire control system (COTAC) enabling it to fire a
ammunition arrow (Vo 1525 m/s). The tank is well profiled, strongly armed,
endowed with a very good mobility and a great autonomy. It is protected
only from small gauge weapons and the effects of artillery. The AMX 30 B2
is able to fight in a contaminated atmosphere and to cross in immersion of
the water levels 2 depth m (4 m with snorkel). It is intended for all
missions requiring operations in traditional or nuclear environments
power: direct destruction of the enemy forces, and in priority of the
armoured forces immediate and major exploitation of the effects of the
others weapons, in particular of the nuclear weapon.It is encased in
rolled plates and castings, entirely welded; traditional turret, entirely
cast, of very shaped form.
Light Tanks :
- ERC 90 Sagaie
The ERC 90 is a light armoured vehicle with 6 wheels, armed
with a 90-mm gun. With good mobility terrestrial and watery, it can fight
in contaminated atmosphere and is transportable by air by Transall. It is
intended for safe reconnaissance missions in traditional or nuclear
environments. It is equiped to carry out anti-tank missions. The case and
turret consist of tack welded steel plates: field of fire in direction:
360 field of fire in height: -8 with +15 pointing in site and layer
ensured by electric drives. Direction is provided by observation glasses
and firing direction by a laser system of telemetry.
- AMX 10RC
The AMX 10RC is a medium weight reconnaissance vehicle armed
with a 105 mm cannon. The vehicle, supplied by Giat, has been in service
with the French army since 1980.300 French Army vehicles are being
upgraded with new engine and transmission, a battlefield management
information system (developed by Giat and EADS company Aerospatiale Matra
Systemes), the Galix self-protection system and new PR4G radios from
Thales (formerly Thomson-CSF). Deliveries will begin in 2003 and the
upgrade is intended to maintain the operational capability of the vehicles
until 2015-2020.There are two turret configurations for the AMX 10RC: the
TK 105 turret with light 105 mm gun or the TML 105 turret with 105 mm NATO
standard gun, both manufactured by Giat Industries.
Armoured Personnel Carriers :
- AMX VBCI
Late last year, the French DGA awarded Giat Industries and
Renault Véhicules Industriels a combined development and production
contract for 700 new 8 x 8 infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) to operate with
the Leclerc tank.To handle this larger programme, Giat Industries and RVI
have formed a new company called Satory Military Vehicles.The current
French Army name for the ICV is the VBCI. Under current plans, at least
550 will be built, plus 150 command post vehicles. The former will have a
combat weight of 26 tonnes and be fitted with the latest Giat Industries
Dragar one-person turret, armed with a 25mm cannon and 7.62mm machine gun.
In addition to the driver and vehicle commander/gunner, it will carry nine
fully equipped troops who will dismount via a power-operated ramp at the
hull rear.It is expected that the first prototype of the ICV will be
completed in the second half of 2003, with production starting in
2004/2005.
- AMX-10P
The AMX 10 P is the support and freight vehicle of the
mechanized infantry units, and the tank carried squadrons of the combat
regiments. This tracked amphibious armoured vehicle transports a group of
9 men in addition to the driver and gunner under turret. It has a great
autonomy and an excellent terrestrial and water mobility which allow it,
in particular, to cross by its own means a flooded cut. Its armament
enables it to intervene effectively against light armoured tanks and low
flying aircraft. Protected against weapons from average gauge and the
shrapnel of artillery shell, it can fight in contaminated atmosphere.
Crew: 2 men (1 conductor and 1 gunner) remain on board after the unloading
of a group whose leader also serves as commander of the vehicle.
- VAB
The VAB (Vehicule de l'Avant Blinde) front-line armoured
vehicle is an Infantry Corps tactical armoured vehicle from the Euro
Mobilite Division of Giat Industries with headquarters at Versailles in
France.The French Army has a fleet of almost 4,000 VAB vehicles.The French
Army has constantly carried out VAB enhancement programmes. Experience
from combat has lead to the implementation of more than 1,100 improvements
resulting in the design of the VAB New Generation (VAB NG).The vehicle can
be fitted with a selection of weapon systems including a 12.7 mm or 25 mm
Dragar turret, an anti-tank missile launcher turret or a variety of mortar
systems.
- VBL
The Vèhicule Blindè Legèr (VBL) corresponds to a new
tactical need with wheels discrete and general-purpose having amphibians
and NBC capacities. It is conceived to combine with the agility of the
jeep a sufficient protection against the battlefield and the dangers of
NBC attack. The VBL is planned for two versions: reconnaissance and
anti-tank combat. It must be able to carry out in an autonomous way the
missions of reconnaissance and infiltration, and to ensure the environment
of the future. The version with anti-tank devices will be capable of
shooting MILAN with 6 missiles, 7.62 mm automatic arms with 2000 rounds,
or 7.62 mm automatic arms with 3000 rounds.
Artillery Systems :
- LRM multiple launched rocket system
The Lance-Roquettes Multiple (LRM) multiple lanch rocket
system is a complete unit including a launcher, adapted ammunition,
systems of management and data transmission, as well as specific means of
acquisition.The launcher of the LRM can contain twelve rockets, or two
ATACMS missiles. A whole of electronic cases specialized in fact a modular
system of simple design and easy support..
- AUF 1/2 155mm self-propelled howitzer
The 155-mm automatic cannon AUF-1 is intended to equip
forces with armoured artillery to ensure the missions of support of direct
and indirect fire. The 155-mm gun is assembled from a turret on the chasis
of the AMX 30, providing mobility close to that of this battle tank. The
range of the gun of 39 calibers makes it possible to reach 23.5 km with
normal ammunition and 30 km with wide range ammunition. The system can as
well fire all the ammunition of 155 mm, French as foreign. Its normal
ammunition is the high-explosive shell with hollow base.
- CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzer
The Caesar truck mounted artillery system is a 155 mm 52
calibre self-propelled gun developed by Giat Industries based in
Versailles, in co-operation with Lohr Industrie of Hangenbieten, France.
The system has completed its qualification phase and has been ordered by
the French Army, who are to order an initial 5 systems.The Caesar
artillery system evolved from the earlier 155 AM F3 automotive gun, which
used the chassis of the AMX-13 light tank. Caesar is equipped with all the
systems needed for independent operation, a cabin to protect the six man
gun crew against shell fragments and small arms fire, an initial
ammunition supply of 16 complete rounds and instrumentation for
navigation, aiming, ballistic calculations and command aids. The system
was specifically designed to meet the fire support requirements of rapid
deployment forces.
- TRF 1 - 155mm towed artillery
The artillery gun 155 TRact頭odel F1, intended to
equip regiments of infantry, is characterized by good strategic mobility,
great fire power, and a simple implementation. This rapid-fire 155 mm gun
is a double trail configuration with a swivelling platform. Its barrel of
40 calibers is the same one as that is used on the 155 mm AUF vehicle.The
maximum range is of 24 km with the high-explosive shells Mle F1, 30 km are
envisaged with ammunition with extended range.The gun can fire all French
ammunition as well as foreign rounds.
Air-Defense :
- Roland 2MR Trigat
The Roland short range air defence missile system is
produced by Euromissile. Roland entered service with the French Army in
1977, and is in service with ten countries.French Army systems are mounted
on vehicles based on the AMX-30 main battle tank.The Roland system is
effective against air threats from extremely low to medium altitude. It is
available as a standalone weapon system on a single vehicle or as an
airliftable shelter, Roland Carol. Roland Carol has been in production
since 1995 with 20 systems delivered to the French Army.
Helicopters :
- Tiger HAP/HAC
The Tiger helicopter is being developed in three
configurations, HAC (French) and UHT (German) anti-tank helicopters and a
combat support helicopter designated HAP for the French Army. Tiger is
being built by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of the EADS.France has ordered 80
aircraft (70 combat support and 10 antitank), with deliveries to commence
in 2003.Total procurement is planned to be 215.Both Tiger HAC and UHT
anti-tank helicopters have an Osiris mast-mounted sight from SFIM, with
infrared charge coupled device (IRCCD) camera and laser rangefinder. There
is a nose-mounted forward looking infra-red (FLIR) with a 40 x 30 degree
field of view.Tiger can be equipped with four MBDA (formerly Matra BAe
Dynamics) MISTRAL or Raytheon Stinger air-to-air missiles.The Tiger is
armed with Euromissile HOT 3 and Euromissile TRIGAT LR anti-tank missiles,
fired by the gunner.The combat support Tiger helicopter for the French
Army (Tigre HAP) is equipped with a 30 mm AM-30781automatic cannon from
Giat. Rate of fire is 750 rounds per minute. Tigre HAP also carries four
Mistral missiles and two pods each carrying twenty two SNEB 68 mm rockets.
- AS341 Gazelle
The Eurocopter/Aerospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle is a French
built light utility helicopter which was first flown in 1967. Military
missions include attack, antitank, antihelicopter, reconnaissance,
utility, transport, and training. Of the current service types, the
Gazelles have the most teeth; the ALAT operates the type with the Mistral
air-to-air missile, the HOT anti-tank weapon and large caliber cannon.
Almost all Gazelles are operated by the Force D'Action Rapidae which is
subdivided into regiments, which in turn are split into combat, anti-tank
and transport flights.
- AS555 Fennec
The AS 550 C3 is the combat version of the single-engine
Fennec. It is fitted with sliding doors, a raised landing gear, an
instrument panel adapted to tactical flight and provisions for night
flight with night vision goggles. It can be fitted with axial weapons such
as a 20-mm gun, pod-mounted rocket launchers, a gun, a side-firing machine
gun, or in the anti-tank or air-air version, it can carry 4 missiles. The
AS 555 UN and AS 555 AN are the land versions of the twin-engine Fennec.
The AS 555 UN is particularly intended for reconnaissance/observation
missions, IFR training. The AS 555 AN is the armed version. It can be
fitted with the same weapons equipping the AS 550 C3.
- AS532 UL Cougar/HORIZON
AS532 Cougar
Horizon
The Cougar was designed
to provide high performance, ease of deployment, low operating cost,
comfort, plus high mission readiness.A multirole helicopter,
the Cougar can be armed with machine-guns and pod-mounted cannons, with
rockets. AS 532 Cougar Mk I UL/AL is the "long" version which can
carry up to 25 commandos.
The Horizon system,
Helicoptere d'Observation Radar et d'Investigation sur Zone, is
operational with the French Army. The helicopter surveillance system was
originally developed to counter any possible threat by the tank fleets of
the Warsaw Pact countries.
- SA 330 Puma
The twin-engined SA 330 Puma was developed initially to meet
a French Army requirement for a medium-sized helicoptere de manoeuvre,
capable of operating by day and night in all weathers and climates.The
payload exceeded that of the specification, the aircraft being capable of
carrying 18 troops with full individual armament plus two crew. The first
five pre-production aircraft with these characteristics appeared in 1967,
all with civil registrations, while the sixth had a different nose, which
was standardized on the production aircraft. As a result of the trials
programme this compact, efficient aircraft won the approval of the French
Army, which ordered 130.
- NH 90 TTH
The TTH version is primarily conceived for tactical
transport of personnel (14-20 troops) and material (more than 2500 kg of
cargo), heliborne operations and SAR. Additional applications include
medevac, special operations, electronic warfare, airborne command post,
parachuting, VIP transport, flight training.This version is optimised for
low signatures (acoustic, radar, infrared). It will be equipped with a
night vision system (Forward Looking Infra-Red, Night Vision Goggles,
Helmet Mounted Sight & Display). The first French army TTH90 is
scheduled to enter service in 2011. A total of 133 helicopters are
required but this figure may be reduced.
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