The French Air Force was created in 1910 and managed to actively participate in the First World War. In the Second World War, the French Air Force also participated, but after the occupation of the country by Nazi Germany they divided into two parts, one of which was under the control of the Vichy government, and the other was withdrawn by Free France. Thus, it was only in 1943 that the French Air Force gained its modern form.
The first phase of the development of the Air Force
France was one of the first states in the world to actively develop its air forces and invest substantial resources in new developments. By the beginning of World War I, the French Air Force had been allocated as a separate branch of the army along with cavalry and engineering troops.
Scientific developments and extensive experience in mechanical engineering allowed the French government to increase the number of aircraft from 148 - at the time of the outbreak of the war to 3608 - at the time of signing the peace treaty. In addition to aircraft, the air fleet also included airships.
At the same time as the conventional air forces, the air forces of the navy were created. True, at first only eight aircraft were in their ranks. The engineering developments of the French were popular on the world market and the first aircraft of the Russian Imperial Air Fleet were purchased in 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 forces themselves , air defense guns 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 had enormous experience, which needed to be assimilated and processed. Throughout the war, France lost about thirty percent of its aircraft, many of which fell victim to the anti-aircraft systems that developed rapidly during the war.
In addition, in the 1930s, French experts came up with a new way to inflict tangible damage on the enemy - throw saboteurs into his rear using airplanes and parachutes. Parachute landing will be actively used in the Second World War.
Despite the lull in Europe during the interwar period, the French Air Force aircraft were actively used as superior technical force in its colonial possessions, where the rebels and fighters for liberation from colonial oppression did not have their own aircraft or anti-aircraft guns, the development of which at that time The leading military powers were actively engaged in the moment. France actively used aircraft in Algeria and Indochina. The French Air Force bombers caused great damage to the rebel forces in all the colonies of the Republic, but the colonial system still ceased to exist after the Second World War.
After the second world war
After the end of World War II, the French authorities set about restoring their aircraft industry. New aircraft models began to appear.
In the mid-sixties, the country's government decided to pay more attention to nuclear deterrence. For this, the Air Force bombers were equipped with missiles carrying a nuclear charge.
In addition, a reorganization of control was carried out with respect to a new type of troops. For this purpose, a special headquarters was created, the Strategic Air Command and the Military Transport Aviation Command. Since France joined NATO, it has been forced to coordinate not only its operational actions with NATO headquarters, but also to determine a development strategy in accordance with the decisions taken by the leadership of the alliance.
The current state of the French Air Force
The Republic is armed with Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters, 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.
The Air Force command indicates that in recent years the number of alarm sorties has increased due to the general tension that is growing in Europe and the world. In order for the aircraft pilots to have sufficient experience when operating in hot spots.
Separate 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 ships, reconnaissance behind enemy lines and striking remote areas with the help of precision weapons. The current composition of the French Air Force meets the requirements put forward by NATO leadership. However, many types of weapons, electronics and mechanisms are designed and manufactured in the country.