2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16
The French Air Force was created in 1910 and managed to actively participate in the First World War. The French Air Force also participated in World War II, but after the country was occupied by Nazi Germany, it was divided into two parts, one of which was under the control of the Vichy government, and the other went to the Free French. Thus, it was only in 1943 that the French Air Force acquired its modern form.
The first stage of the development of the Air Force
France was one of the first states in the world to actively develop the air force and invest significant resources in new developments. Already by the beginning of the First World War, the French Air Force were separated into a separate branch of the army along with cavalry and engineering troops.
Scientific developments and rich experience in mechanical engineering allowed the French government to increase the number of aircraft from 148 at the start of the war to 3608 by the time the peace treaty was signed. In addition to aircraft, airships were also part of the air fleet.
At the same time as the conventional air force, the air force of the navy was created. True, at first in their ranks onlyeight aircraft. French engineering developments were popular on the world market and the first aircraft of the Russian Imperial Air Fleet were purchased from France.
Interwar period
The First World War was a unique test for the economy and scientific and engineering complexes of all participating countries. In addition to the air force itself, air defense weapons also developed.
The French Air Force has come a long way in the short period of the First World War, and by the interwar period they had vast experience that needed to be assimilated and processed. Throughout the war, France lost about thirty percent of its aircraft, many of which fell victim to anti-aircraft systems that were actively developed during the war.
In addition, in the 1930s, French specialists came up with a new way to inflict significant damage on the enemy - to throw saboteurs behind his lines, using planes and parachutes for this. Paratroopers will be actively used in World War II.
Despite the fact that there was a lull in the interwar period in Europe, French Air Force aircraft were actively used as a superior technical force in its colonial possessions, where the rebels and fighters for liberation from colonial oppression had neither their own aircraft nor anti-aircraft guns, the development of which at that moment was actively engaged in the leading military powers. France actively used aviation in Algeria and Indochina. French air force bombers inflicted huge damagerebel forces in all colonies of the Republic, but the colonial system still ceased to exist after World War II.
Post World War II
After the end of the Second World War, the French authorities set about restoring their aircraft industry. New aircraft models began to appear.
In the mid-sixties, the government decides to pay more attention to nuclear deterrence. To do this, the Air Force bombers were equipped with missiles carrying a nuclear charge.
In addition, the management was reorganized with respect to the new type of troops. For this, a special headquarters was created, the Strategic Aviation Command and the Command of Military Transport Aviation. Since joining NATO, France has been forced to coordinate not only its operational actions with NATO headquarters, but also to determine its development strategy in accordance with the decisions made by the leadership of the alliance.
The current state of the French Air Force
The Republic is armed with Dassault Mirage 2000, Dassault Rafale fighters, bombers, two reconnaissance aircraft and Airbus A400M transport aircraft. In 2016, a contract was signed for the modernization of Lockheed transport aircraft, of which there are sixteen in service with the French Air Force.
Air Force Command indicates that the number of alert sorties has increased in recent years due to general tensions that are growingin Europe and the world. To ensure that aircraft pilots have sufficient experience in operating in hot spots.
Special mention deserves the air force, which is subordinate to the Navy. This is a very special type of troops capable of performing various tasks, including striking coastal fortifications, attacking naval vessels, performing reconnaissance behind enemy lines, and striking remote rear areas with precision weapons. The modern composition of the French Air Force meets the requirements put forward by the NATO leadership. However, many types of weapons, electronics and mechanisms are designed and produced in the country.
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