List of military aircraft of France

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Nieuport 28

France has used many military aircraft both in the French Air and Space Force, and other branches of its armed forces. Multiple aircraft were designed and built in France, but many aircraft from elsewhere, or part of joint ventures have been used as well. Lighter-than-air aircraft such as dirigibles and balloons found use starting in the 19th century used mainly for observation. The advent of World War I saw an explosion in the number France's aircraft, though development slowed after. While having many promising designs in development in the 1930s, government wrangling delayed development enough there was little available at the out break of World War II. The armistice in 1940 marked a low point, with Vichy France being allowed only reduced numbers and development halting. Many French aircraft were captured and used by Nazi Germany and its allies. Some aircraft that did escape served with the Allies or Free French forces, who also used many other types of allied aircraft. The cold-war saw the continued use of many other Western aircraft, mainly from the U.S., during a period of rebuilding of the aviation industry and under threat of war with the Soviet Union. Many new types would come into service including the very successful Mirage series or the latest design, the Rafale.

To the end of World War I[edit]

World War II[edit]

See List of aircraft of the French Air Force during World War II

Rest of the 20th century[edit]

21st century[edit]

See also: List of active military aircraft of the French Armed Forces

Aircraft either introduced after 2000 or in service as of 2000.

Fixed-wing[edit]

Propeller[edit]

Jet[edit]

Helicopters[edit]

Gallery of the progression of French fighters[edit]

Gallery of the progression of French naval fighters[edit]

  • Lévy-Biche LB.2 an interwar naval fighter that was based on Béarn the first French aircraft carrier that came into service in the 1920s.
    Lévy-Biche LB.2 an interwar naval fighter that was based on Béarn the first French aircraft carrier that came into service in the 1920s.
  • Dassault Étendard IV main French naval fighter of the Cold War.
    Dassault Étendard IV main French naval fighter of the Cold War.
  • Dassault Rafale M a variant of the Dassault Rafale for use on aircraft carriers. It is currently as of 2023 the only French naval fighter.
    Dassault Rafale M a variant of the Dassault Rafale for use on aircraft carriers. It is currently as of 2023 the only French naval fighter.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Pilatus Sells 21 PC-21s, Including 17 for the French Air Force". Pilatus Aircraft. 4 January 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
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