List of equipment of the French Army
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Modern equipment of the French Army is a list of equipment currently in service with the French Army. Figures are provided by the Ministry of Armed Forces for 2021.[1][2]
Personal equipment
Uniforms
Name | Origin | Type | Photo | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Field uniforms | ||||||
Camouflage Centre-Europe (CCE) | ![]() |
Combat uniform | ![]() ![]() |
| ||
Camouflage Daguet | ![]() |
Combat uniform | ![]() |
Desert camouflage of the French Armed Forces | ||
Camouflage Tundra | ![]() |
Combat uniform | ![]() |
| ||
COM FST-specific camouflage | ![]() ![]() |
Combat uniform | ![]() ![]() |
Various uniforms seen worn by operators of the French Army Special Forces Command's units. | ||
Helmets | ||||||
Casque SPECTRA (F2) | ![]() |
Combat helmet | ![]() |
| ||
Casque TC F NVG V2 Casque TC 3001/3002 |
![]() ![]() |
Combat helmet | ![]() |
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Ops-Core helmet | ![]() |
Combat helmet | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units as well as by specialized conventional units such as the para commandos of the 11th Airborne Brigade's Parachute Commando Group (GCP) and the mountain commandos of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade's Mountain Commando Group (GCM) | ||
Casque FÉLIN Casque balistique F3. |
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Combat helmet | ![]() ![]() |
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Ballistic vests | ||||||
Gilet TIGRE | ![]() |
Bulletproof vest | ![]() |
| ||
Structure Modulaire Balistique (SMB) | ![]() ![]() |
Bulletproof vest | ![]() |
| ||
COM FST-specific ballistic vests | ![]() |
Bulletproof vest | ![]() |
Various bulletproof vests seen worn by the French Army Special Forces Command's units. | ||
Boots | ||||||
HAIX Centre Europe (HAIX Nepal Pro) | ![]() ![]() |
Combat boots | ![]() |
Standard combat boots of the French army | ||
Meindl Desert Defence | ![]() |
Combat boots | ![]() |
Hot climate combat boots of the French army |
Optronic devices and observation systems
Name | Origin | Type | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Safran Vectronix Leica Vector | ![]() ![]() |
Multifunctional optronic device | ![]() |
|
Safran Vectronix Vector 21 | ![]() ![]() |
Multifunctional optronic device | ![]() ![]() |
|
Safran Vectronix JIM LR | ![]() ![]() |
Multifunctional optronic device | ![]() ![]() |
|
Safran Vectronix JIM Compact | ![]() ![]() |
Multifunctional optronic device | ![]() |
|
Safran Vectronix Moskito TI | ![]() ![]() |
Multifunctional optronic device | ![]() |
|
Thales OB70 Lucie | ![]() |
Night vision device | ![]() |
|
Thales JVN O-NYX | ![]() |
Night vision device | ![]() |
|
Thales JVN Bonie HP (High Performance) | ![]() |
Night vision device | ![]() ![]() |
Equips the Special Operations Command's units, the Parachute Commando Group and Mountain Commando Group since 2019 |
Special equipment
Name | Origin | Type | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
FÉLIN system | ![]() |
Integrated combat technology | ![]() |
|
Infantry equipment
Pistols
Name | Origin | Type | Cartridge | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAC 50 | ![]() |
Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | ![]() ![]() |
|
PAMAS G1 | ![]() |
Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | ![]() ![]() |
|
HK USP Compact Tactical | ![]() |
Semi-automatic pistol | .45 ACP | ![]() ![]() |
Seen used by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional units such as army engineer divers |
Glock 17 | ![]() |
Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | ![]() ![]() |
|
Submachine guns
Name | Origin | Type | Cartridge | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HK MP5 A5 HK MP5 SD3 |
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Submachine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | ![]() ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
HK MP7 A1 HK MP7 A2 |
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Submachine gun | 4.6×30mm | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
FN P90 | ![]() |
Submachine gun | FN 5.7×28mm | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
Assault rifles
Name | Origin | Type | Cartridge | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAMAS F1 | ![]() |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | ![]() ![]() |
|
HK416 F HK416 D14.5RS HK416 A5 |
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Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
FN SCAR-L | ![]() |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and the Parachute Commando Group |
SIG MCX VIRTUS | ![]() |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO .300 AAC Blackout |
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Used by the Special Operations Command's units and the Mountain Commando Group |
SIG SG 553 | ![]() |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional diving units |
M16A2 Colt Model 727 |
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Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | ![]() |
|
AK-47 | ![]() ![]() |
Assault rifle | 7.62×39mm | ![]() ![]() |
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Sniper and anti-materiel rifles
Name | Origin | Type | Cartridge | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FN SCAR-H PR | ![]() |
Designated marksman rifle Sniper rifle |
7.62×51mm NATO | ![]() |
|
HK 417 | ![]() |
Battle rifle Designated marksman rifle |
7.62×51mm NATO | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional troops |
PGM Ultima Ratio | ![]() |
Sniper rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
Sako TRG-42 | ![]() |
Sniper rifle | .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Lapua Magnum |
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Used by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional units |
Cadex CDX-40 Shadow (Elsa) | ![]() |
Sniper rifle | .408 CT | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
PGM Hécate II | ![]() |
Anti-materiel rifle | .50 BMG | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional units |
Barrett M107 | ![]() |
Anti-materiel rifle | .50 BMG | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
Machine guns
Name | Origin | Type | Cartridge | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FN Minimi Para | ![]() |
Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO | ![]() |
Widely used in the French Armed Forces |
FN Evolys | ![]() |
Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×51mm NATO |
| |
ANF1 | ![]() |
General purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | ![]() |
|
FN MAG 58 | ![]() |
General purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | ![]() |
|
M2 Browning | ![]() |
Heavy machine gun | .50 BMG | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional forces |
M134 Minigun | ![]() |
Rotary medium machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
Shotguns
Name | Origin | Type | Cartridge | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Benelli M4 Super 90 | ![]() |
Semi-automatic shotgun | 12-gauge | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional units |
Benelli Supernova Tactical | ![]() |
Pump-action shotgun | 12-gauge | ![]() |
Selected the Benelli Supernova Tactical in 2022 as the new service shotgun. |
Mossberg 500 | ![]() |
Pump-action shotgun | 12-gauge | ![]() ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units as well as by conventional troops stationed in French Guiana. |
Remington Model 870 | ![]() |
Pump-action shotgun | 12-gauge | ![]() |
Used by conventional troops stationed in French Guiana. |
Grenade launchers
Name | Origin | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M203 grenade launcher | ![]() |
Grenade launcher | 40mm grenade | ![]() |
Seen used by 1er RPIMa operators in tandem with the M16 assault rifle in the early 2000s. It is unknown if it is still in service. |
Heckler & Koch AG36 | ![]() |
Grenade launcher | 40mm grenade | ![]() |
|
Heckler & Koch 269 F | ![]() |
Grenade launcher | 40mm grenade | ![]() |
The HK269 is the result of the development of the 40mm x 46 low velocity M320 GLM with the ability to open the barrel to the left or right. It can be used under the HK416 F or as a stand-alone weapon. |
Milkor MGL | ![]() ![]() |
Grenade launcher | 40mm grenade | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
Heckler & Koch GMG | ![]() |
Grenade machine gun | 40mm grenade | ![]() |
Used by the Special Operations Command's units |
Portable anti-material weapons
Name | Origin | Type | Caliber | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT4 CS | ![]() |
Recoilless anti-tank weapon | 84mm | ![]() |
|
MILAN | ![]() ![]() |
Anti-tank guided missile system | 115mm | ![]() |
|
Eryx | ![]() |
Anti-tank guided missile system | 136mm | ![]() |
|
FGM-148 Javelin | ![]() |
Fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system | 127mm | ![]() |
|
Akeron MP | ![]() |
Fifth generation anti-tank guided missile system | 140mm | ![]() |
|
Vehicles
Armoured vehicles
Name | Origin | Type | Number | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tanks | |||||
AMX Leclerc | ![]() |
Main battle tank | 215 | ![]() |
|
Engineering / Recovery and repair | |||||
Engin Blindé du Génie | ![]() |
Armoured engineering vehicle | 38 | ![]() |
|
SDZ - Zone mine clearance system | ![]() |
Chaser remotely operated / Mine clearance vehicle | 10 | ![]() |
|
Leclerc DCL | ![]() |
Armoured recovery vehicle | 17 | ![]() |
|
AMX-30D | ![]() |
Armoured recovery vehicle | 27 | ![]() |
|
Wheeled armoured fighting vehicles | |||||
VBCI | ![]() |
|
622 | ![]() |
|
VAB | ![]() |
|
ε1,800 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
VBMR Griffon | ![]() |
|
587 | ![]() |
|
VBMR-L Serval | ![]() |
|
208 (2023) | ![]() |
|
AMX 10 RC | ![]() |
Armoured reconnaissance vehicle Wheeled tank destroyer Light tank |
210 | ![]() |
|
EBRC Jaguar | ![]() |
Armoured reconnaissance vehicle | 62 | ![]() |
|
EBRC Kiosque | ![]() |
EBRC Jaguar Driver Training Vehicle | 2 (2023) |
| |
Buffalo MRAP | ![]() |
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle | 5 | ![]() |
|
Nexter Aravis | ![]() ![]() |
Infantry mobility vehicle / Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected | 20 | ![]() |
|
VBL | ![]() |
Armoured car | 1,418 | ![]() |
|
PVP | ![]() |
Armoured car | 1,149 | ![]() | |
Tracked articulated vehicles | |||||
Véhicule à Haute Mobilité (VHM) Véhicule Articulé Chenillé (VAC) VAC NewGen or VAC 270 |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Armoured personnel carrier | 87 ( 47 / 34 / 6 ) | ![]() |
|
Artillery and air defence
Name | Origin | Variant | Number | Photo | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Self-propelled artillery | ||||||
AMX 30 AuF1 | ![]() |
155 mm self-propelled howitzer | 32 |
| ||
CAESAR | ![]() |
155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer | 64 | ![]() |
| |
CAESAR NG | ![]() |
155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer | 0 | ![]() |
| |
Artillery observation | ||||||
VAB VOA | ![]() |
Armoured artillery observation vehicle | 40 | Will be replaced by the EPC/VOA variant of the VBMR Griffon | ||
Griffon VOA | ![]() |
Armoured artillery observation vehicle | 11 | |||
Rocket artillery | ||||||
LRU MLRS | ![]() ![]() |
227mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher | 9 | ![]() |
| |
Mortars | ||||||
MO 120 RT F1 | ![]() |
120 mm mortar | 132 | ![]() |
132 in service as of 2021 | |
Mo 81 LLR F1 | ![]() |
81 mm mortar | 168 | ![]() |
2 units per infantry company | |
M6 mortar | ![]() |
60 mm light mortar | 120 | ![]() |
| |
LGI Mle F1 | ![]() |
Mortar, 51mm grenade | ![]() |
| ||
Air defence | ||||||
Mistral | ![]() |
Short-range surface-to-air missile system | 196 | ![]() |
| |
NEROD F5-5 | ![]() |
Portable anti-drone weapon | Unknown | ![]() |
The NEROD F5 is a microwave jammer capable of disrupting and neutralizing all communication protocols used by drones. It neutralizes:
|
Engineering
Name | Origin | Variant | Number | Photo | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unarmoured engineering vehicles | ||||||
TNA | ![]() |
Airborne leveling tractor | 6[4] | ![]() |
||
MFRD | ![]() |
Rapid destruction drilling truck | 122 | ![]() |
||
EGAME | ![]() |
Bulldozer | 35 | |||
MPG | ![]() |
Loader | ? | |||
UNAC 20TRR | ![]() |
Road–rail excavator | 2 | |||
Liebherr LTM 1050–3.1 | ![]() |
Mobile crane | 50 | |||
SOUVIM | ![]() |
Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector | 8 | |||
Scania P340 | ![]() |
Dump truck | 161[5] | ![]() |
||
Caterpillar D6 | ![]() |
Bulldozer | 40 | ![]() |
||
EGRAP | ![]() |
Backhoe loader | 92 | ![]() |
||
Bridging vehicles/Military Ferries | ||||||
EFA | ![]() |
Ferry/Mobile bridge | 20 | ![]() |
||
PFM | ![]() |
Mobile bridge | 70 (2013) | ![]() |
||
SPRAT | ![]() |
Modular assault bridge | 10 | |||
Vedette de pontage F2 | ![]() |
Bridging speedboat | 8 | ![]() |
||
Robots | ||||||
MINIROGEN (ECA COBRA MK2) | ![]() |
Multi-function military robot | 30 |
| ||
ECA UGV IGUANA | ![]() |
Mine clearing robot | 15 | 43 units to be delivered until 2024 | ||
iRobot Packbot 510 | ![]() |
Mine clearing robot | 15 |
Logistics
Name | Origin | Variant | Number | Photo | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TRM 10000 | ![]() |
Truck | 1,322 | |||
TRM 700–100 | ![]() |
Truck | 116 | ![]() |
||
TRM 2000 | ![]() |
Truck | 2,225 | |||
Renault GBC 180 | ![]() |
Truck | 5,322 | ![]() |
||
Renault Kerax | ![]() |
Truck | 420 | |||
Porteur polyvalent terrestre (PPT) | ![]() ![]() |
|
900 | ![]() |
1600 units on order | |
Vehicle porte conteneurs maritimes (VPCM) | ![]() ![]() |
8x8 container carrier | 12 | ![]() |
||
Tanker trucks | ||||||
Camion citerne polyvalent (CCP10) | ![]() ![]() |
6x6 fuel tanker truck | 461 | |||
Camion Ravitailleur Pétrolier de l’Avant à Capacité Étendue (CaRaPACE) | ![]() ![]() |
Armoured fuel tanker truck | 34 | ![]() |
||
Recovery vehicles | ||||||
Camion lourd de depannage routier (CLDR) | ![]() |
8x4 recovery vehicle | 30 | ![]() |
Unarmoured vehicles
Name | Origin | Variant | Number | Photo | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unarmoured vehicles | |||||
RIDER (Fardier) | ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | ![]() |
| |
VLRA | ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | ![]() |
The VLRA "Pamela" configuration (pictured) is a mobile platform equipped with a Mistral firing station | |
Panhard VPS | ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | 51 | ![]() |
|
Arquus AREG VLFS | ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | Successor of the Panhard VPS | ||
Renault Kangoo | ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | 460[6] | ![]() |
Used by counter-terrorism units |
VMA | ![]() |
Airport crash tender | Used by the French Army Light Aviation.[7] | ||
Peugeot P4 | ![]() ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | 2,500 | ![]() |
|
T4 VLTP NP | ![]() ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | 500[8] | ![]() |
|
Arquus Trapper VT4 | ![]() ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | 4, 200 | ![]() |
|
Ford Ranger | ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | 1,000[11] | ![]() |
Introduced as an urgent operational requirement to replace the Peugeot P4. |
Land Rover Defender | ![]() |
Light utility vehicle | 550[12] | ![]() |
|
Quad Polaris | ![]() |
All-terrain vehicle | 348 | ![]() |
|
Aircraft
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Quantity | Photo | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fixed-wing aircraft | ||||||||
Pilatus PC-6 | ![]() |
Transport and airdrop | 5 | ![]() |
||||
SOCATA TBM | ![]() |
VIP transport and utility | 8 | ![]() |
||||
Helicopters | ||||||||
Eurocopter Tiger HAP/HAD | ![]() |
Attack helicopter | 67 | ![]() |
67 in service as of 2023 | |||
NHIndustries NH90 | ![]() |
Utility helicopter | 58 | ![]() |
58 in service in January 2023 | |||
Aérospatiale Puma | ![]() |
Utility helicopter | 32 | ![]() |
| |||
Eurocopter Cougar | ![]() |
Utility helicopter | 26 | ![]() |
| |||
Eurocopter Caracal | ![]() |
CSAR/SOF helicopter | 8 | ![]() |
8 in service as of 2023 | |||
Aérospatiale Gazelle | ![]() |
Reconnaissance helicopter | 87 | ![]() |
87 in service as of 2023 | |||
Eurocopter Fennec | ![]() |
Light surveillance helicopter | 18 | ![]() |
18 in service as of 2023 | |||
Colibri | ![]() |
Training helicopter | 36 | ![]() |
36 in service as of 2023 | |||
UAVs | ||||||||
Safran Patroller | ![]() |
ISTAR | ![]() |
| ||||
EADS DRAC | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | 38[13] |
| ||||
Thales Spy'Ranger | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | 210 | ![]() |
| |||
ECA IT180 DroGen | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | 12 | 6 systems (consisting of 2 drones each) in service as of 2021 | ||||
Novadem NX70 | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | 54 | 27 systems (54 drones) delivered in September 2019 | ||||
Black Hornet Nano 3 | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | 400 | ![]() |
|
References
- ^ "Chiffres clés de la Défense 2021" (PDF). January 2022.
- ^ "Le ministère des Armées et vous".
- ^ "PAMAS G1". gendarmes.net (in French). Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ "Un engin unique au monde développé pour les paras". Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ "28052009La Délégation générale pour l'armement passe commande de 161 porteurs P 340 CB6X6HHZ à Scania". Scania France. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
- ^ "Le ministère de la Défense a commandé 520 véhicules pour l'opération Sentinelle". 10 February 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ "Pompiers aéroportuaires : les anges gardiens de l'aviation - avionslegendaires.net". 19 April 2012. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
- ^ "VLTP : il arrive ! Et le Masstech T4 de Technamm ?". 5 September 2017.
- ^ "French Technamm Masstech T4 VLTP VP". Joint-Forces.com. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "ARQUUS TRIGGER and TRAPPER ~French Army Vehicles". Joint-Forces.com. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Quand l'armée française préfère rouler américain". 4 May 2015.
- ^ "Defender : le véhicule polyvalent de l'armée de Terre" (in French). defense.gouv.fr. 28 June 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ "EADS Defence & Security delivers second batch of DRAC UAVs to French Ministry of Defence". Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
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)