French Armed Forces

[Lord Jim]

I am a little surprised that they would be operated by the Air Force and not the Army though.

[xav]

Exclusive interview with Stephan Meunier, Naval Group's Operational Marketing Director and former Rubis-class SSN commander in the French Navy, on the Barracuda type SSN's capability to deploy and support Naval Special Forces.

[xav]

in other submarine news... on eternal patrol

French Navy Submarine ‘Minerve’ Located 50 Years After Going Missing

After going missing in 1968, French Navy submarine Minerve has finally been located. The wrecks lies in three pieces at a depth of 2,350 meters, 30 nautical miles off the coast and Toulon naval base.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... g-missing/

*may they rest in peace*

[bobp]

*may they rest in peace*

Yes let them rest peacefully. At least the wreck has been found and may bring some closure to the families.

[xav]

Another exclusive: This time we take you inside the CIC of Barracuda type SSN (via computer generated images, but eh, better than nothing)

[Frenchie]

New material presented during the military parade on July 14.

[SKB]

Franky Zapata and his Flyboard have failed in the attempt to cross the English Channel. While attempting to land and refuel from a waiting ship, Zapata fell into the sea only centimetres from the vessel.

[Lord Jim]

I keep looking at the Griffon and I know it is a replacement for the multitude of VABs in service but how much of an increase in protection does it bring over its predecessor. It is probably better against mines and IEDs but what about the very common RPG? Are there plans to integrate an APS onto the platform in the near future?

[abc123]

A question: Does AdA still uses ordinary Mirage 2000C (not 2000-5F)? If not, when did they stop fly them?

[Frenchie]

I keep looking at the Griffon and I know it is a replacement for the multitude of VABs in service but how much of an increase in protection does it bring over its predecessor. It is probably better against mines and IEDs but what about the very common RPG? Are there plans to integrate an APS onto the platform in the near future?

On the previous page I wrote everything I found on the Griffon, if that interests you Lord Jim, otherwise here is an excerpt on the protection of the vehicle. If you're interested I have an interesting video but in French, so I do not know if I can put it on the forum?

I do not think there will be an APS because it is a simple APC and it is protected differently with missile departure detectors, acoustic sensors for snipers, 360 ° vision and Network protection that makes all vehicles in the field are interconnected and protect each other.

Well, through its modular armour system that provides a ballistic protection against firing of small arms 14.5×114mm AP / B32 at 200 meters with 911 m/s and shell splinters at 30 m of the vehicle and mine protection 10 kg of mine explosion under the center of the hull and the wheels. The Griffon can be also fitted with a wire cage armor to increase protection against anti-tank RPG attacks. In option, the vehicle could be equipped with add-on armor to increase ballistic and mine protection. The crew cabin at the front of the vehicle is fitted with a large bulletproof windscreen and one door on each side. Each side of the crew compartment is fitted with two small bulletproof. At the rear the hull, there is one power-operated ramp that opens downwards which allows infantrymen to quickly enter and leave the vehicle. The vehicle is fitted with mine-blast protection seats, four on each side of the troops compartment.

A question: Does AdA still uses ordinary Mirage 2000C (not 2000-5F)? If not, when did they stop fly them?

Since 2010, 7 Mirage 2000C are in Chad to replace the remaining Mirage F1 on the African continent.

[abc123]

A question: Does AdA still uses ordinary Mirage 2000C (not 2000-5F)? If not, when did they stop fly them?

Since 2010, 7 Mirage 2000C are in Chad to replace the remaining Mirage F1 on the African continent.

What's the state of that retired fleet? Do they have any more life in them left?

[Frenchie]

What's the state of that retired fleet? Do they have any more life in them left?

They work very well, the proof, the February 4, 2019, the staff of the armies announced that a patrol of Mirage 2000C and D of the Air Force intervened jointly with the Chadian army to north of Chad to hit a column of 40 pickups of an armed group from Libya, infiltrating deeply into Chadian territory. This intervention in response to the request of the Chadian authorities helped to hinder this hostile advance and disperse the column. Our old aircraft are still serving

[Frenchie]

Star Wars: France Strikes Back



http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... udget.html

[Lord Jim]

Frenchie, thanks for the info on the Griffon and the heads up to the longer post on the previous page. In its intended roles it looks like the Griffon will be very capable, especially so when supported by the Jaguar in operations like those underway in Africa. I am assuming that both platforms can fit in the back of a A400 to allow rapid deployment to reinforce existing forces when needed. As a straight APC it doesn't pretend to be anything else, and should be looked at by the UK if we ever proceed with the MRV(P) 6x6, though it is looking more and more likely he UK is going for a combination of additional Boxers and having JTLVs fulfilling the MRV(P) 4x4. Not a bad solution but overkill for certain missions like how the VBCI was deployed to Mali to supplement the VABs already out there. Hopefully the UK MoD is watching how things develop with the introduction of the Griffon and Jaguar as well as the updates to the Leclerc and VBCI. A well thought out programme based on joined up thinking, the opposite of what the UK is doing. We ma get there in the end if he right decisions are made and funding is available but at present we have multiple programmes going as different speeds and not necessarily in the same direction to a common goal.

[abc123]

What's the state of that retired fleet? Do they have any more life in them left?

They work very well, the proof, the February 4, 2019, the staff of the armies announced that a patrol of Mirage 2000C and D of the Air Force intervened jointly with the Chadian army to north of Chad to hit a column of 40 pickups of an armed group from Libya, infiltrating deeply into Chadian territory. This intervention in response to the request of the Chadian authorities helped to hinder this hostile advance and disperse the column. Our old aircraft are still serving

I meant more on those retired aircrafts, did they had any resources left when they were retired?

[Caribbean]

Frenchie, thanks for the info on the Griffon and the heads up to the longer post on the previous page. In its intended roles it looks like the Griffon will be very capable, especially so when supported by the Jaguar in operations like those underway in Africa. I am assuming that both platforms can fit in the back of a A400 to allow rapid deployment to reinforce existing forces when needed. As a straight APC it doesn't pretend to be anything else, and should be looked at by the UK if we ever proceed with the MRV(P) 6x6, though it is looking more and more likely he UK is going for a combination of additional Boxers and having JTLVs fulfilling the MRV(P) 4x4. Not a bad solution but overkill for certain missions like how the VBCI was deployed to Mali to supplement the VABs already out there. Hopefully the UK MoD is watching how things develop with the introduction of the Griffon and Jaguar as well as the updates to the Leclerc and VBCI. A well thought out programme based on joined up thinking, the opposite of what the UK is doing. We ma get there in the end if he right decisions are made and funding is available but at present we have multiple programmes going as different speeds and not necessarily in the same direction to a common goal.

@LJ - isn't the UK looking at the Bushmaster for the equivalent role? I would have said it's very similar to the Griffon. I think the Boxer will replace Mastiff for the three Heavy Protected Mobility battalions, with Bushmaster for the Light Protected Mobility (and JLTV everywhere!)

[Frenchie]

I meant more on those retired aircrafts, did they had any resources left when they were retired?

They still belong to the French Air Force, they are not retired, they are maintained in operational condition, they fly and do missions, what else do you want to know ?

[abc123]

I meant more on those retired aircrafts, did they had any resources left when they were retired?

They still belong to the French Air Force, they are not retired, they are maintained in operational condition, they fly and do missions, what else do you want to know ?

Just to clarify, we are speaking about plain old Mirage 2000C? Not D, N or 2000-5F? Right?

I'm asking because I'm in a dispute with one guy who said that all M2000C were retired because they have spent all their flight resources, so that in 2015 AdA had no Mirage 2000C in operative use?
BTW, what version of M2000 did France offer to Colombia back in 2015? C or 2000-5?

[Caribbean]

A Patrouille de France Alpha-jet has crashed during training. The pilot ejected and is said to be "injured, but alive"
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/worl ... edium=Feed

[Frenchie]

I meant more on those retired aircrafts, did they had any resources left when they were retired?

They still belong to the French Air Force, they are not retired, they are maintained in operational condition, they fly and do missions, what else do you want to know ?

Just to clarify, we are speaking about plain old Mirage 2000C? Not D, N or 2000-5F? Right?

I'm asking because I'm in a dispute with one guy who said that all M2000C were retired because they have spent all their flight resources, so that in 2015 AdA had no Mirage 2000C in operative use?
BTW, what version of M2000 did France offer to Colombia back in 2015? C or 2000-5?

Right ! We are speaking about Mirage 2000C !
Since 1997, Île-de-France 2/5 Fighter Squadron is equipped with 17 Mirage 2000B (two seater) and 7 Mirage 2000C (single seater). On June 11, 2010, the 2/5 Ile-de-France fighter Squadron is arrived in Chad to replace the last Mirage F1. They are still there. Moreover, we did not give anything to Colombia.

Recent proof, The Ministry of the Armed Forces has announced the temporary deployment since February 24, 2019 of three Rafale of the Air Force in N'Djamena to participate in Operation Barkhane. Since 2016 only the Mirage 2000 (C, D currently) contribute to the air component of the operation. While the Rafale are deployed in the Middle East as part of Operation Chammal.

Proof 2 : While in France it is the time of the summer holidays in the Sahel the fighting continues, and this Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000C and D fighter jets hit jihadist targets in the Gao region.

[abc123]

[ Moreover, we did not give anything to Colombia.

Thanks for the info.
Hust one thing more, sorry for bothering you.
About that offer to Colombia from 2015, did France offer to sell them M2000C or M2000-5?

[Frenchie]

[ Moreover, we did not give anything to Colombia.

Thanks for the info.
Hust one thing more, sorry for bothering you.
About that offer to Colombia from 2015, did France offer to sell them M2000C or M2000-5?

It was Colombia who wanted to buy Mirage 2000-5, the French Air Force did not want to, that's stop there. It's always a pleasure if I can help

[Frenchie]

I would have said it's very similar to the Griffon.

The Bushmaster is 10 tonnes less than the Griffon, they are not comparable vehicles, it depends on the use for which it is intended.

[Lord Jim]

Without going totally off track, I cannot se the UK buying the Bushmaster in any large numbers except for SF use and for specialist tasks. The reason I mentioned that the UK might not pursue the MRV(P) is because their have been statements form Government and others saying the final purchase of the Boxer could be far higher than that needed to equip the four Mechanised Battalions that will be part of the two Strike Brigades. In theory the Boxer could be given many of the roles within both the Strike and Armoured Infantry Brigades that could have been undertaken by the MRV(P) as well as replacing the remaining FV430 series and some of the4 CVR(T) variants. With the JLTV also able to carry out some of the roles originally aimed at its 6x6 partner the need for this platform would be greatly reduced, and may explain how little has been heard of this programme comparted to the MRV(P) 4x4 (JLTV) and MIV (Boxer).. The problem though will be cost unless the UK is able to get extremely competitive deals for both the Boxer and JLTV, the UK will still not have an Armoured platform afford able enough to be issues to a wider number of Infantry Battalions leaving them still in the increasingly irrelevant "Light" role configuration. This is what France has got so right with the VAB and now the Griffon.

[Frenchie]

I agree with Lord Jim, unless I'm mistaken, the unit price of the Boxer is about 10 million euros, for the same price you have about 10 Griffon, and the JLTV is not given either when we develop the Scarabee which is a equivalent weight and a lower cost.

I have nothing to sell, it does not bring me anything, but nothing prevents your engineers from looking to France.
We have a lower reputation than Germans and Americans, but we are competitive.

For example, the partnership between Paris and Brussels was the subject of an intergovernmental agreement in October 2018 for the delivery from 2025 of 382 Griffon and 60 Jaguar. The contract amount is € 1.6 billion and includes formation, training and maintenance.

The DGA indicates on its website that it has notified the French companies Arquus (formerly RTD) and Thales on June 24, as well as Belgian manufacturers including FN Herstal and CMI, with whom cooperation agreements have been concluded.

So a cooperation agreement with the United Kingdom would be very likely with the British manufacturers of your choice.