France Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

For once I go on a long weekend with my wife with no laptop, no cell phone service etc... and this happens and I hear about it Sunday evening on my way back...

Anyways, here are a few points from my observation, contacts and information gathering:

- The decision was made to "move in" because the Jihadist were getting awfully close to the capital Bamako, with the risk of losing the entire country (plus security concerns for the several thousands French citizens living there)

- The loss of a pilot and two Gazelle from 4e régiment d'hélicoptères des forces spéciales ( 4e RHFS = equivalent to the 160th SOAR) came as a shock to the French Military while Gazelles were used in Libya with success while it was potentially a far more hostile environment. The difference is the operation in Mali was conduct during daylight. It indicates that initial combat were pretty intense and that the (political) decision to go ahead was a bit rushed. It also proves that Gazelle replacements are long over due and the Military is currently busy rushing Tigre helicopters to the area... with assistance from UK (C-17) and US (initial talks of C5). This proves again the lack of such means in the French Air Force, the limitations (and age?) of C160, and the urgent need for the A400M. Anyhow French Forces had to do with what was available in the area: The Gazelles, 4 Mirage 2000D and 1 Mirage F1CR (recon, but daylight ops only) in nearby Chad as well as two C-135FR.

Since the early stages

- a raid from France was conducted consisting of 4 Rafales (3x B and 1x C) and 2 more Tankers:


They then landed in Chad.

- France is rushing several troops (mostly FFL and Troupes de Marine) from other bases in Africa but also from France which indicates ground combat will likely happen at a later stage, and the conflict may last longer than a few days/weeks

- ISR is provided by ATL2 (yes, the French Navy MPA!) from the base in Senegal. This again shows the stricking lack of UAVs in France. US already offered UAV/Intelligence support.

- French Government is a bit bothered now that in the media, they took the head role of the operation while the plan really was to let African Union armies take that role and France would take a supporting role.

- French defense minister already hinted that French Military will be involved for the a long time in this theater

- Jihadi fighters today attacked the city of Diabali, located about 400 km north of Bamako, in an area under the control of the Malian authorities : Malian troops don't control anything and the area is very vast: That is why troops are being sent to conduct operations on the ground. The Jihadi will probably try to hide among the civilian population.

- Personal observation:
USAF should provide MC-130J Commando II as they can refuel and conduct intelligence mission at the same time.


Plus the French and US trained a lot in the past in Djibouti with KC-130/Mirage

So in 2013 things are as follow for France:
- They have around 40 Tigre helicopters available (2 are in A'stan still) but they can only send 3 for a crisis in a nearby/not too distant area
- They have to rely on 40+ year old tankers
- They have to use Navy MPA for ISR missions
- And more important they have to rely on UK, US and Russian contractors to send around 20 armored vehicles in case of emergency... I guess that's what allies (and Europe?) are for...

Realistically speaking, very few in Europe can project some power anymore except the UK and France like they did in Libya and now in Mali. The problem is will they still be able to do it in the near future following more budget cuts and what not... ?

There was supposed to be a new "White Paper on Defense" in France next month and rumor says it has been postponed to take into consideration the current operation in Mali... So hopefully they realize that:
- A400M numbers can not be cut anymore
- Same for Tigre
- The A330 MRTT realy need to ordered (all 15 of them!)
- France really needs to order those Predator B sooner than later

Either that, or France will have to kiss goodbye to its "Gendarme of Africa" status and "World Player" status.

Photos of French Forces moving to and in Africa..

http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/wor...rces-pictures-thread-141-1217.html#post220548

A Look at What Countries Are Contributing to Mali
FRANCE

France's resources in what they call Operation Serval include:

— 800 troops are now in place in Mali. This number is forecast to "gradually" increase to 2,500, according to a government official, who insisted on anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the press.

—French forces on the ground include 200 troops from Operation Epervier in Chad who have been flown into Bamako. This includes some French Foreign Legionnaires. And a company of the 2nd marine infantry regiment based in Auvours, France was moved into Bamako on Saturday. Also present are a group of 200 soldiers who moved into Mali on Monday from their base in Ivory Coast, along with around 60 armored vehicles.

—Gazelle helicopter gunships from the 4th helicopter regiment of the special forces armed with HOT anti-tank missiles and 20mm cannons. The 4th regiment, based in Pau, France, has 12 of these helicopters.
— Mirage 2000D fighter jets based in Chad and four Rafale fighter jets sent from their base in France have taken part in the bombing campaign, supported by two C135 refueling tankers. Two Mirage F1 CR reconnaissance jets were also moved from their base in Chad to Bamako on Monday. France has six Mirage 2000D, 3 C135s, one C130, 1 Transall C160 stationed in Chad as part of its Operation Epervier.

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U.K.

—Two C-17 aircraft to carry foreign troops and military equipment to Mali. One C-17 has arrived in Bamako, Mali and the second is currently in France.

—Britain is not offering any troops, but Mark Simmonds, the government minister for Africa, said British personnel also could be involved in training the Malian army.

— The only military personnel will be a Royal Air Force ground crew intended to service C-17 transport.

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United States: The U.S. is providing intelligence-gathering assistance to the French, and officials would not rule out having American aircraft land in the West African nation as part of future efforts to lend airlift and logistical support. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday that the U.S. is still working through the details of assistance it will provide France.

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EU: The European Union says it is speeding up its preparation for a troop training mission in Mali, which will now likely be launched in the second half of February or early March, but the EU is not planning any direct combat role.

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ALGERIA: Algerian Foreign Ministry spokesman Amar Belani said on Monday that Algeria was closing the nearly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) border with Mali. After months of expressing grave doubts over any intervention in Mali, regional powerhouse Algeria has backed the French attack. It has granted overflight rights to French jets heading to northern Mali.

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BENIN: Will send 300 troops.

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BELGIUM: Transport.

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BURKINA FASO: Will send 500 troops to Mali and 500 others to control the northern border. Check points have also been set up in Burkina Faso on roads to it northern border with Mali.

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CHAD: To send troops, but no specific number yet.

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DENMARK: Denmark is sending a C-130 transport aircraft with a crew and support staff of about 40 people, the Danish Foreign Ministry said.

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ESTONIA: Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said his country would be ready to send "a couple of officers" to Mail to help staff the EU's training mission.

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GERMANY : German officials have ruled out sending any combat troops to support Mali, but French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Germany will offer logistical, humanitarian and medical support.

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GUINEA: Will send 144 troops.

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MAURITANIA: Mauritanian armed forces were placed on high alert along the border with Mali. The president says the country would not take part in the fighting in northern Mali. The Mauritanian army had conducted raids in 2010 and 2011 against the bases of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb in northern Mali.

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NIGER: Will send 500 troops.

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NIGERIA: Will send about 900 troops, including a company of 190 expected to leave in the next 24 hours.

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SENEGAL: Will send 500 troops.

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TOGO: Will send 500 troops.

Canada is sending a C-17 as well.

Aren't there too few fighters jets and attack helicopters to conduct air support missions? I doubt the coalition of those forces will accomplish much unless they are stationed in Mali permanently. Fighting is a way of life for half of the African continent...

cn_habs said:

Canada is sending a C-17 as well.

Aren't there too few fighters jets and attack helicopters to conduct air support missions? I doubt the coalition of those forces will accomplish much unless they are stationed in Mali permanently. Fighting is a way of life for half of the African continent...

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The biggest problem for the French is the fact that the "legitimate" government of Mali that they are defending is a military junta that just recently obtained power through a coup. These guys obviously don't have the legitimacy to hold the entire country, so even if France beats back the Islamists, there is still going to be a huge power vacuum in the country.

It will be wise for France to define a very limited strategic goal

Defending Mali from AQ/Islamist extremist influence is impossible, stemming the surge of rebels from reaching the capital and protecting French populace, a more attainable and sensible goal.

Looking at the forces deployed, France could probably capture and secure a key town or two north the controlled areas by the government, set up a watch over these towns and secure the roads and areas down south.
But there will be posts to be manned and patrols to be made, i feel there will be more casualties (2 already from what i read), luckily these rebels don't have enough ammunition for IEDs, so typical attacks will be hit and run small arms fires.

the solidarity from EU is however appalling, they just seem to throw that word out of the window these days

solarz said:

The biggest problem for the French is the fact that the "legitimate" government of Mali that they are defending is a military junta that just recently obtained power through a coup. These guys obviously don't have the legitimacy to hold the entire country, so even if France beats back the Islamists, there is still going to be a huge power vacuum in the country.

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I thought because of the Al Qaeda led attacks, they entered into a compromise having Diancounda Traore as interim president? Regardless, the situation is an ugly one and it seems like the French could potentially get bogged down.

A French elite Special Operations soldier drive through the town of Markala, about 275 km (171 miles) from the capital Bamako, January 15, 2013, to meet Malian soldiers and organize a counter-attack in the jihadist-held town of Diabaly. France will end its intervention in Mali only once stability has returned to the West African country, French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday, raising the prospects of a costly, drawn-out operation against al Qaeda-linked rebels. *******/Francois Rihouay

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A detachment of the French army will "secure" a strategic bridge on the River Niger in Markala (Western Mali) to prevent access to the armed Islamists. This bridge leads to the capital Bamako,

"The mission entrusted to us is to keep the bridge in order to deny the enemy access to the South," he told AFP Colonel Frederick (his first name) of the 21st RIMA (Regiment Marine Infantry ) came from Chad. "We will put in place a mechanism to secure the area," he added.

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