Aéronavale French Naval Aviation |
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Founded | 1910 |
Country | France |
Branch | French Navy |
Size | 179 aircraft |
Insignia | |
Roundels |
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French Naval Aviation (French: Aéronautique navale or colloquially 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 6,800 military and civilian 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.
The French Naval Aviation has four components:
Operational squadrons are known as Flottilles and normally consist of 12 aircraft :
Shore-based training and transport squadrons are known as Escadrilles de Servitude :
Two Super Étendard, two Rafale fighters and a E-2C Hawkeye at the 2010s French Naval Aviation Centenary Airshow
Rafale fighter on the flight deck of Charles de Gaulle at dawn.
Rafale fighters on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft
Lynx WG13 helicopter armed with a Mk46 torpedo on the deck of a frigate
Offshore rescue by French Navy Dauphin helicopter
Panther helicopter lifts off the deck of Guépratte