The French Naval Aviation (French: Aéronavale) is the naval air arm of the French Navy. Born as a fusion of carrier squadrons and naval patrol air force, the Aéronautique navale was created in 1912. The headquarters is under command of an admiral (ALAVIA) in Toulon naval base. The French Naval Aviation has a strength of around 20,400 civilian and military personnel. They operate from four airbases in Metropolitan France and several detachments in foreign countries or French overseas territories. Carrier-borne pilots of the French navy do their initial training at Salon-de-Provence Air Base.
Aircraft[]
Fixed Wing Aircraft[]
- Dassault Rafale M x 108 (Multirole Fighter) - 30 more on order
- Dassault Hirondelle x 70 (AWACS, ASW, and COD Aircraft)
- Dassault Hirondelle AEW x 18 (Carrier based AWACS Aircraft)
- Dassault Hirondelle ASW x 36 (Carrier based ASW Aircraft)
- Dassault Hirondelle COD x 16 (Carrier based COD Aircraft)
- Bréguet Br 1150 Atlantique x 36 (Maritime Patrol Aircraft)
- Dassault Falcon 10 x 6 (Communications and Transport Aircraft)
- Dassault Falcon 20 Gardian x 5 (Surveillance, Reconnaissance)
- Dassault Falcon 50 x 5 (Surveillance, Reconnaissace) - 3 more on order
- Diamond DA40 x 4 (Trainer Aircraft)
- Embraer EMB 121 Xingu x 12 (Transport and Trainer Aircraft)
- Mudry CAP 10 x 8 (Trainer Aircraft)
Rotary Wing Aircraft[]
- Aérospatiale SA319 Alouette III x 22 (Utility Helicopter)
- Aérospatiale SA321 Super Frelon x 32 (ASW, Assault, Transport Helicopter)
- Aérospatiale AS565 Panther x 36 (Maritime Helicopter)
- Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma x 16 (Search and Rescue Helicopter)
- Eurocopter SA365 Dauphin x 12 (Search and Rescue Helicopter)
- NHIndustries NH90 Caiman x 26 (Maritime Helicopter) - 28 more on order