The French ground forces are organized according to the latest Western concept
At the end of World War II, the French army was, in fact, an insignificant part of the American army. Naturally, after the end of the war, such a situation could not persist for a long time. Paris had too big geopolitical ambitions, completely inconsistent with its role in the last war, but requiring immediate "resuscitation" of the French Armed Forces. A lot of weapons were required by the colonial wars that began in Vietnam (" Indochina catastrophe ", "NWO", 05/24/19), and then in Algeria (" Combat operations of France after World War II ", "NWO", 11/15/19).
START OF RECOVERY
However, supplies of ground equipment from Anglo-Saxon countries were very limited. In addition to armored vehicles and artillery transferred to the French during World War II, in the 1950s they received 100 M26 Pershing tanks and 250 M47 Patton tanks from the United States, 200 British Ferret armored vehicles, as well as eight batteries of American anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules."
In 1952, production of its own AMX-13 light tank began, which lasted until 1987. In total, about 7.7 thousand units were produced, of which 4.3 thousand for the French army, 3.4 thousand for export to more than 20 countries (in some armies it is still in service). The AMX-13 tank participated in many wars, primarily in the Arab–Israeli wars of 1956 and 1967, and on both sides. There, the main drawback of this machine was revealed: a weak level of protection.
On the basis of the AMX-13, a number of combat vehicles were created, for example, the AMX-VCI armored personnel carrier (and many derivatives already from it), the 105-mm self-propelled artillery (ACS) Mk 61 and 155-mm ACS Mk F3, all these vehicles were also very widely exported.
In addition, since the beginning of the 1950s, a total of 1202 units of the wheeled armored vehicle EBR-75, equipped with a 75-mm cannon, was produced. The 155-mm towed M-50 howitzer (980 pieces) was produced. Even earlier (since the late 1940s), the production of 120-mm mortars AM-50 was started.
The greatest success of the French military-industrial complex during this period can be considered the creation of anti-tank missile systems (ATGMS) SS-10, SS-11 and SS–12 (for the latter there was an aviation version of AS-12) - the world's first representatives of this class of weapons.
SS-11 and SS-12 were produced until the mid-1980s, were purchased by more than 30 countries. In particular, the SS-11 entered service with the US Army under the name AGM-22. Another line of development of the SS-10 was the ENTAC ATGM, which was also widely exported, including to the USA under the name MGM-32.
Since the 1960s, all ground equipment for the French army has been produced in France itself. During this period, the AMX-30 tank was created, which remained in service until the end of the 1990s (the French ground forces received 1,355 vehicles), despite its extremely mediocre tactical and technical characteristics (TTX). This tank was widely exported, but it was tested in battle only once – in January 1991 (" Dictator's Paralysis ", "HBO", 05.03.21) as part of the Qatari army against Iraqi T-55 (AMX-30 won this battle with a score of 3:2).
Another important product of the French military-industrial complex was the AML-245 wheeled armored car, which was produced in a variety of variants with a total of 4812 units. The most common variants were the AML-60, armed with a 60 mm mortar, and the AML-90 with a 90 mm cannon. In the late 1960s, the M-3 armored personnel carrier was created on the basis of the AML-245, produced in an amount of 1,180 more units; it, in turn, became the basis for a purely export armored vehicle VCR.
These machines were supplied to dozens of countries around the world and participated in many wars and conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. In South Africa, this armored car in a slightly modified version was produced under the name "Iland" (approximately 1.6 thousand cars). At least 13 "Ilands" were lost during the war in Angola (" Angola is a difficult path to freedom ", "HBO", 11/30/18). Thus, the total number of AML and M–3 was at least 7,6 thousand units, in many armies these machines are still in operation.
Another type of weapon created in France in the 1960s and still in use (including in the French army itself) was the 120-mm mortar MO-120-RT. 16 launchers (PU) of operational-tactical missiles (OTR) "Onest John" were received from the USA; these missiles could carry nuclear warheads (warheads), but only American ones. Due to the withdrawal of France from the NATO military organization, this option was not implemented in practice. In addition, France acquired 15 batteries of the Hawk air defense system from the United States.
WITHOUT COLONIES, BUT WITH A NUCLEAR ARSENAL
In the 1970s, France rapidly developed its nuclear arsenal and formed a classical nuclear triad. On the Albion Plateau in the south of the country, 18 S-2 medium-range ballistic missile silos were deployed, which were almost immediately replaced by the S-3. 44 PU (on the chassis of the AMX-30 tank) of the Pluto nuclear OTR also entered service. Plutonium warheads G31 with a capacity of 120 kt were created for the S-2, 70 warheads G50 with a capacity of 25 kt were produced for Pluto.
At the same time, one of the most famous and mass–produced examples of French armored vehicles, the VAB armored personnel carrier, began to enter service. Presumably, 5082 vehicles were produced – including 4151 for the French army, the rest for export to a dozen and a half countries. These numbers also include all the numerous auxiliary vehicles (command and staff vehicles (KSM), medical, engineering, ATGM carriers, etc.) on its base. In the 1990s, eight such APCs were lost by French peacekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the 21st century, the French army lost at least six more VABS during operations in Africa and Asia.
The improvement of the AMX-30 tank and the creation of various vehicles based on it continued, in particular, the aforementioned operational-tactical missile system (OTRK) "Pluto". Another machine on the AMX-30 chassis was the Roland air defense system, created jointly with Germany. The French army received 83 Roland-1 air defense systems and 98 Roland-2 air defense systems, the latter remained in service until 2008.
Export "Rolands" have achieved some combat successes. An Argentine Roland shot down a British Harrier FRS1 over the Falklands. At least two Iranian aircraft (F-4E and F-5E), two British Tornadoes and one American A-10 are on the account of the Iraqi Roland, but Tornadoes and A-10 are not fully confirmed victories. In any case, it is interesting that all the planes shot down by the French air defense system in different theaters of military operations (Theater of operations) are of Western production.
Finally, on the basis of the AMX-30, a 155-mm self-propelled artillery installation (ACS) AuF1 (GCT) was created, which remains in service with the French army until now.
Also in the 1970s, the AMX-10R infantry fighting vehicle (BMP) entered service and began to be exported. An AMX-10RAS-90 variant with a 90 mm cannon was created for Indonesia and Singapore. Together with Germany, the second-generation ATGMs "Hot" and "Milan" were developed, which have become very popular in the world.
In addition to the Roland, the Krotal air defense system appeared in France (also in the naval version of the Naval Krotal). For Saudi Arabia, the SAM was produced in a special version of the Shahin, for the Republic of Korea it was produced in this country under license under the name K-SAM "Pegasus". In China, it was copied and produced without a license under the name HQ-7 (including in the ship version); this Chinese SAM, in turn, was copied in Iran under the name "Zahra". Finally, in the 1970s, all 15 batteries of the American air defense system "Hawk" of the French army were upgraded according to the "Improved Hawk" variant.
NEW TIMES, NEW TRENDS
In the 1980s, several new models of wheeled armored vehicles entered service.
One of them was the heavy-armed combat vehicle (BMTV) AMX-10RC, despite the name, which has nothing in common with the AMX-10R BMP. The AMX-10RC carries a 105 mm cannon and is sometimes classified as a wheeled tank. 457 vehicles were produced, including 337 for the French army.
Another French BRM/The BMTV became equipped with a 90-mm ERC-90 cannon. Approximately 550 of these vehicles were produced, including 192 for the French army (160 of them were modernized already in the 2000s).
Finally, production began, which lasted until 2010, of the VBL light armored vehicle; in total, approximately 2.6 thousand vehicles were produced, including 1.6 thousand for the French army (including various VBL-based auxiliary vehicles; at least four such armored vehicles were lost by the French in the former Yugoslavia).
The 155-mm TR-F-1 howitzer was adopted, the last towed gun of French production at the moment.
55 M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) were received from the United States, as well as up to 50 Stinger man-portable air defense missile systems (MANPADS).
In 1992, instead of Pluto, the Ades OTR (15 PU, 30 missiles) with a TN-90 warhead of variable power (from 0.25 to 80 kt) was adopted. However, just four years later it was dismantled, as well as the S-3D BRSD, the S-4 BRSD development program was canceled. Thus, the ground component of the French Nuclear Deterrent Force (SNF) ceased to exist.
In the early 1990s, the Leclerc tank was adopted - the last of the third–generation Western tanks and the only one equipped with a gun loading machine. "Leclerc" entered service only with the French army (406 units) and the UAE (388 units). At least one Emirati tank was lost in Yemen.
The French army also adopted the ATGM "Erics" and MANPADS "Mistral", which have become one of the main exports of the French military-industrial complex (especially the "Mistral").
In the XXI century, the outdated AMX-10R BMP was replaced by a VBCI wheeled BMP (520 such BMP and 110 KSM based on them were produced in 2008-2015), up to five such vehicles have already been lost in Mali.
Up to 100 articulated BvS-206 and BvS-10 armored personnel carriers were purchased in Sweden. At least 80 VAB armored personnel carriers have been upgraded with the installation of the Norwegian combat module "Protector", but in the coming years, the replacement of these armored personnel carriers will begin.
To do this, it is planned to produce 978 Serval vehicles and 1872 VVMR Griffin vehicles (1022 VTT armored personnel carriers, 333 KShM EPC, 54 120-mm self-propelled MERAS mortars, 54 engineering vehicles, 117 VOA artillery reconnaissance vehicles, 96 RCBZ vehicles, 196 medical SAN). Now there are more than 500 Griffins and more than 100 Servals in the ranks of the French army.
Almost exclusively for export to Asian and African countries, France has launched the production of armored vehicles "Sherpa", "Bastion", "Aravis". At the same time, one of the variants of the "Sherpa" was the chassis for the Caesar wheeled self-propelled gun. The French army has received 77 such self-propelled guns, their production for export continues; in addition, the French themselves will need an additional number of Caesars to compensate for the self-propelled guns transferred to Ukraine.
In the USA, France acquired 76 Javelin ATGMs and produced 400 of its own Akeron MMR ATGMs.
The improvement of the Mistral MANPADS continues, which at the moment (after the decommissioning of the Roland and Improved Hawks) remains the only air defense system of the French ground forces.
In 2022, France actively joined the process of Western assistance to Ukraine, where several AMX-10RC BMTV, 60 VAB armored personnel carriers, 24 Caesar self-propelled guns, 15 TR-F-1 guns, ten 120 mm mortars, two M270 MLRS, a significant number of ATGMs and MANPADS were delivered.
To date, at least one AMX-10RC BMP, eight VAB, three Caesars have been lost, and another AMX has become a Russian trophy.
Formally, the potential of the French ground forces and the relevant branches of the military-industrial complex of the country is quite large.
In fact, both are now intended almost exclusively for fighting in Africa and the Middle East.
Alexander Khramchikhin
Alexander Anatolyevich Khramchikhin is an independent military expert.