French Air and Space Force
Air and space warfare branch of France's armed forces / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about French Air and Space Force?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The French Air and Space Force (French: Armée de l'air et de l'espace, lit. 'Army of Air and Space') is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as the French Air Force. On 10 September 2020, it assumed its current name, the French Air and Space Force, to reflect an "evolution of its mission" into the area of outer space.[1]
| Air and Space Force | |
|---|---|
| Armée de l'air et de l'espace | |
 | |
| Founded | 2 July 1934; 89 years ago (1934-07-02) |
| Country |  France |
| Type | Air and space force |
| Role | Aerial and space warfare |
| Size |
|
| Part of | French Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Hexagone Balard, Paris |
| Colours | Blue, white, red |
| Anniversaries | 2 July |
| Engagements | |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Armed Forces | President Emmanuel Macron |
| Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force | Général d'armée aérienne Stéphane Mille [fr] |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare | E-3 Sentry |
| Fighter | Rafale, Mirage 2000 |
| Helicopter | AS532 Cougar, Fennec, EC725 Caracal |
| Trainer | Alpha Jet, Pilatus PC-21, SOCATA TBM, Extra EA-300 |
| Transport | Lockheed C-130, Airbus A310, Airbus A330, Airbus A400M, Dassault Falcon 7X, Dassault Falcon 900, Dassault Falcon 2000, Transall C-160, Boeing C-135FR |
The number of aircraft in service with the French Air and Space Force varies depending on the source; the Ministry of Armed Forces gives a figure of 658 aircraft in 2014.[2][3] According to 2018 data, this figure includes 210 combat aircraft: 115 Dassault Mirage 2000 and 95 Dassault Rafale.[4] As of 2021,[update] the French Air and Space Force employs a total of 40,500 regular personnel, with a reserve element of 5,187 in 2014.[5]
The Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (CEMAAE) is a direct subordinate of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CEMA), a high-ranking military officer who in turn answers to the civilian Minister of the Armed Forces.