France Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

I believe that Dassault were consultants for the LCA project back in the 1980s(!!) and contributed to the aircraft's basic design, yes.

EDIT: .

FDI frigate under construction

Submarines And Carriers? Upcoming French Deployments To The Pacific

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) is planning to send several high-end assets to the Indo-Pacific in the coming years. These would include nuclear attack submarines (SSN), an air defense frigate, a landing helicopter docks (LHD) and even, possibly, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

It looks cool but probably pointless. Huge expensive trimaran hull with not a lot inside it.

Unprecedented in scale military exercises Orion23 began in France. Exercise Orion 2023 is the largest for the French army in the last three decades. The purpose of the maneuvers will be to demonstrate the readiness of the French forces for the most difficult situations of modern combat, their efficiency and endurance in a high-intensity conflict. In total, about 20 thousand people will be involved in the exercises, which take place on land, at sea and in the air, and will also affect space and information warfare. According to the scenario, events unfold in an area bordering a powerful state that was a source of tension. Other countries, including the United States, will also take part in the exercises, which will last 2 months. The cost of military maneuvers is estimated at €35 million.

VBRG armored vehicles were brought out by the French gendarmerie, review. Against the backdrop of unrest in France, the Marseille gendarmerie has already brought Berliet VXB-170 armored vehicles to the streets. The Berliet VXB-170 armored vehicle was developed by Societe des Automobiles Berliet under the brand name BL-12 in 1969. In 1973, 155 serial vehicles were delivered to the French Gendarmerie. Armored vehicles are designed to fight riots and are painted blue by order of the French gendarmerie, the vehicles are equipped with a bulldozer blade. The armored vehicle can be equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun and a 40 mm grenade launcher. The vehicle is equipped with 7 mm armor and weighs 14 tons when equipped. Armored vehicle VBRG can carry up to 12 gendarmerie men in full gear. The crew of the vehicle consists of a driver and a gunner. The VXB-170 armored vehicle is equipped with a 170 horsepower engine, which allows it to reach speeds of up to 85 km / h on the highway and 4 km / h on the water.

Since there is no topic about the Armenian army, I am publishing it here. Armenia begins purchasing French weapons. A contract has already been signed for the purchase of three French Ground Master 200 radar stations manufactured by Thales. An agreement of intent was also signed for the purchase of French Mistral MANPADS from MBDA. In addition, France will train the Armenian military to work with air defense. The agreement was signed by the Ministers of Defense of Armenia and France Suren Papikyan and Sebastien Lecornu. Ground Master 200 radar stations were developed in 2008 and are capable of detecting not only conventional air targets but also artillery and mortar shells at a range of up to 250 kilometers and tracking targets at a distance of 100 kilometers. The GM 200 station is serviced by 2 operators. The radars are used in five countries, including Ukraine. The Mistral MANPADS entered service in 1987; the Mistral-2 MANPADS was developed in 2000; it is not reported which version will be purchased. The MANPADS is capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 6,000 meters and an altitude of up to 3,000 meters. Launcher weight 24 kg. There are also stationary versions of Mistral-2 MANPADS.

I’m posting here because there is no topic about the Armenian army. Armenia received 24 Bastion armored vehicles from France as assistance. It is reported that armored vehicles were previously delivered to Ukraine, but they were abandoned; according to some reports, the armored vehicles remained in Ukraine. Bastion armored vehicles were developed by the French company Acmat in 2010. The armored car was also produced in the USA, including in a medical version. The basic version of the armored personnel carrier is designed to transport a group of 5 people and is equipped with composite armor that protects the crew from 7.62 mm bullets and mine fragments. The armored vehicle can be equipped with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns or a 40 mm grenade launcher. The armored vehicle weighs 12 tons and is equipped with a 340 hp engine. and can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h. The Bastion armored vehicle is still in production and is primarily in service with African countries.