France has used many military aircraft both in its air force, the Armée de l'Air, and other branches of its armed forces. Numerous aircraft were designed and built in France, but many aircraft from elsewhere, or part of joint ventures have been used as well. Lighter-than-air aircraft such as dirigibles and balloons found use starting in the 1800s used mainly for observation. The advent of World War I saw an explosion in the number France's aircraft, though development slowed after. While having many promising designs in development in the 1930s, government wrangling delayed development enough there was little available at the out break of World War II. The surrender in 1940 marked a low point, with development halting and many aircraft being captured and used by Vichy France and the Third Reich. Some aircraft that did escape served with free French forces, who also used many other types of alled aircraft. The cold-war saw the continued use of many other Western aircraft, mainly from the US, during a period of rebuilding of the aviation industry and under threat of war with the Soviet Union. Many new types would come into service including the very successful Mirage series or the latest design, the Rafale.

Before World War I

• Blériot XI
• Breguet 14
• Caudron G.4
• Hanriot HD.1
• Maurice Farman S.11
• Morane-Saulnier L
• Morane-Saulnier N
• Morane-Saulnier P
• Nieuport 11
• Nieuport 12
• Nieuport 16
• Nieuport 17
• Nieuport 23
• Nieuport 27
• Nieuport 28
• Salmson 2
• SPAD VII
• SPAD XII
• SPAD XIII

World War II

See List of aircraft of the Armée de l'Air, World War II

After World War II

• Fouga Magister
• Mirage III
• Mirage IV
• Mirage F1
• Mirage 2000
• Ouragan
• Rafale
• Aérospatiale Dauphin
• Transall C.160
• EMB.121 XINGU

External links

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