French Army Light Aviation

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French Army Light Aviation Eurocopter Cougar in Afghanistan
French Army Light Aviation Eurocopter Cougar in Afghanistan

The French Army Light Aviation (French: Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre, ALAT) is a the aviation service of the French Army.

Contents

[edit] History

The French Army Light Aviation was established on 22 November 1954 for observation, reconnaissance, assault and supply duties.

[edit] Composition

  • Army Light Aviation Command (COMALAT)
  • The 4th Airmobile Brigade (4e Brigade Aéromobile) has most of the ALAT:s strength.
    • 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment (1er Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat) (1er RHC) in Phalsbourg with 22 Gazelle, 20 Puma and 14 Cougar
    • 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment (3e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat) (3e RHC) in Etain with 37 Gazelle, 16 Puma
    • 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment (5e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat) (5e RHC) in Pau with 52 various Gazelle and Puma helicopters
    • 6th Combat Helicopter Regiment (6e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat) (6e RHC) in Margny les Compiegne equipped with Puma and various Gazelle helicopters. Will be disbanded on July 1, 2007

[edit] Aircraft inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service[1] Notes
Aérospatiale Gazelle Flag of France France combat helicopter total Gazelle
SA 341F
SA 341M
SA 342M
326
60
111
155
Aérospatiale Puma Flag of France France transport helicopter SA 330 126
Cessna 406 Flag of France France utility Reims F406 2
Eurocopter Cougar Flag of France France transport helicopter AS 532
EC 725
28
3
Eurocopter Fennec Flag of France France utility helicopter AS 555 17
Eurocopter Tiger Flag of Europe European Union attack helicopter HAD & HAP 80 deliveries underway
Pilatus PC-6 Flag of Switzerland Switzerland utility transport PC-6/B2-H4 5
Socata TBM Flag of France France utility transport TBM 700 8

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.

[edit] External links

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