The French Air Force operates a fleet of 874 active aircraft. This includes fighters, transport aircraft, passenger transport and helicopters. 150 comprise the air mobility force (CFAP) and include aircraft such as C-160 and the C-130 Hercules. The CFAP also includes 80 helicopters like the Super Puma and the Ecureuil. 306 combat aircraft are incorporated into 19 squadrons. The Air 2010 concept allows for 300 fighters, mainly composed of the new generation multirole combat airplane Rafale.

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service
Combat aircraft
Dassault Mirage 2000	France	Fighter Aircraft Attack Aircraft Trainer Aircraft	5F/C D B	185
Dassault Mirage F1	France	Trainer Aircraft Reconnaissance Attack Aircraft	F1B FCR/FCT	65
Dassault Rafale	France	Multirole Fighter	B C	56
		Total Aircraft		306
Trainers
Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet	France	Trainer Aircraft (Advanced)	Alpha Jet E	140
Embraer EMB 121 Xingu	Brazil	Trainer Aircraft	EMB 121	30
Jodel D-140	France	Trainer Aircraft		18
Socata TB	France	Trainer Aircraft	TB 30 Epsilon	92
Walter Extra 300	Germany	Trainer Aircraft (Aerobatic)	Extra 300SC	3
		Total Aircraft		283
Transports
Dassault Falcon 50	France	VIP Transport	Falcon 50	4
Dassault Falcon 900	France	VIP Transport	Falcon 900	2
Dassault Falcon 7X	France	VIP Transport	Falcon 7X	1
Socata TBM	France	VIP Transport	TBM 700	16
Airbus A319	European Union	VIP Transport	A319-115 CJ	2
Airbus A330	European Union	VIP Transport	A330-223	1
Airbus A340	European Union	Strategic Transport	A340-211	2
Airbus A310	European Union	Strategic Transport	A310-304	3
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	Tactical Transport	C-130H/C-130H-30	14
CASA CN-235	Spain	Tactical Transport	CN-235-200/CN-235-200M	19
Transall C-160	France Germany	Tactical Transport	C-160R	51
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter	Canada	Utility transport	DHC-6	5
		Total Aircraft		120
Transport/Search and Rescue
Eurocopter AS532 Cougar	European Union	Transport	AS 532UL	7
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma	European Union	Transport	AS 332L	3
Eurocopter AS555 Fennec	European Union	Utility	AS 555AN	42
Aérospatiale SA330 Puma	France	Transport helicopter	SA 330	29
		Total Aircraft		81
Maritime Patrol/Reconnaissance/Tanker
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker	United States	Refuelling	C-135FR	14
Boeing E-3 Sentry	United States	Airborne early warning	E-3F	4
Transall C-160	France Germany	ELINT	C-160G Gabriel	2
		Total Aircraft		20
Nuclear strike
Mirage 2000N	France	Nuclear strike	Mirage 2000/N	64
		Total Aircraft		64
Total Air Craft in service
		Total Aircraft		874

The French Air Force (Armée de l'Air (ALA), literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique making it the world's oldest airforce. The French Air Force operates 874 aircraft, making it the 4th largest air force in terms of aircraft in NATO, after the air forces of the United States, United Kingdom and Turkey.

The French Air Force is organized into three levels:

Central Command

The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, is Chief of the armed forces, responsible for the overall defence policy. The Prime Minister is responsible for national defence and the Minister of Defence is responsible for the execution of the military policy.

He is advised by the Chief of Staff of the Armies (CEMA) in regard to the use of forces and the control of military operations. The Chief of Staff-Air Force (CEMAA) determines the air force doctrines and advises the CEMA how to deploy French aerial assets. He is responsible for the preparation and logistic support of the air force. The CEMAA is assisted by the air force staff and by its subordinate services. Finally, the CEMAA is assisted by the inspection of the air force (IAA) and by the air force health service inspection (ISSAA).

Greater operational and organic commands

In the ALA the responsibilities are separated in two main types of commands: operational commands (direct responsible for force deployment) and organic commands (in charge of conditioning and logistic support). These commands are subject to change before 2010 (see Future).

CFAS—Strategic Air Command

All the air forces nuclear assets are placed in this command which is responsible for the operational condition and the eventual deployment of these weapons. The CFAS is one of the two pillars of the French nuclear deterrent. CFAS has 3 squadrons of dual capable Mirage 2000N fighter/bombers capable of carrying the nuclear Air-Sol Moyenne Portée stand-off missile and a squadron of C-135FR in-flight refuelling tankers at its disposal to carry out their missions. The commanding CFAS general is responsible for the execution of the mission.

CDAOA—Air Defence and Air Operations Command

This overall command is responsible for all air operations in peacetime serving the public, for the defence of the French airspace and for all offensive and defensive air operations at war.

CFA—Joint Air Command

A new command which has been inaugurated in 2006. It is responsible to ensure and to maintain the operational condition of all branches of the air force now and for the future. At present day the CFA consists of

• 16 fighter squadrons and 25 air defence squadrons
• 1 electronic warfare squadron
• simulator and instruction centres

On its airbases in Europe and abroad the CFA has 16m000 personnel, 279 fighter aircraft, 122 transport aircraft and 85 helicopters.

CASSIC—Air Surveillance, Information and Communication Systems Command

This command has already been dissolved and the 8100 personnel, working in the former CASSIC have been transferred to the other existing air force commands and to the DIRISI, the interim joint defence communication and intelligence organisation.

CDAOA, based in Paris and Lyon, plans and executes all air operations. ex-CASSIC personnel are embedded here to develop exercises and operations abroad.

CFA prepares the forces. Since 2007, 38% ex-CASSIC personnel rejoined the airspace control brigade which also controls all ground-air defence units.

CSFA, based in Bordeaux, guards the technical and logistical assets. Since 2006 it has taken over many ex-CASSIC projects.

CEAA—Air Force Training Command

Responsible for training all new air force personnel as well as on the technical and on the job training of the other air force personnel, as well as the officers and NCO training. CEAA is also responsible for all schools and training facilities.

CFPSAA—Operational Support Command

This command is responsible for the operational readiness and the deployment of all base protecting squadrons, dog-handlers, fire brigades, paratroopers and NBC and decontamination personnel. In 2007, the CFPSAA has been renamed BAFSI (Brigade Aérienne des Forces de Sécurité et d'Intervention).

Airbase Command

The air base command levels are the combat assets of the ALA. An airbase commander has authority over all units stationed on his base. Depending on the units tasks this means that he is responsible for approximately 600 to 2500 personnel.

Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms and French air defence radar systems. It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, centres of operations, warehouses, workshops, and schools.

Both in France and abroad, bases have almost similar infrastructure to provide standardised support. This operational mode allows fast and easy creation of air bases outside of France.

Overseas, fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters allow quick response to any request for assistance that falls within international agreements. On average, a base platform, made up of about 1500 personnel (nearly 3500 people including family), provides a yearly economic boost to its area of about 60 million euros. Consequently, determining the sites for air bases constitutes a major part of regional planning.