Exploring the Combat Aircraft of Europe’s Dominant Air Power

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The crown jewel of France’s air force is the Dassault Rafale, a multirole fighter introduced in 2001. With a top speed of 1,383 mph, advanced avionics, and the ability to carry a vast array of armaments, the Rafael is one of the best fighter aircraft produced in Europe
• Dassault Aviation, the company behind the Rafale, has a storied history. Founded in 1929, Dassault has produced some of France’s most iconic military aircraft
• France’s position as Europe’s premier air power is built on the combination of advanced technology and a sizable fleet of combat aircraft. It is also one of the youngest fleets in Europe
• Also: Dividend Legends to Hold Forever

France is the top dog when it comes to air power in Europe. This is the culmination of a history of excellence in aviation that dates back to the early 20th century and World War II era. In modern times, France has built one of the strongest and most advanced air forces in all of Europe, and its modernization efforts continue. ( France reigns as Europe's premier air power. )

The crown jewel of France’s air force is the Dassault Rafale, a multirole fighter introduced in 2001. These jets are capable of a wide range of missions including air superiority, precision strikes, and nuclear deterrence. With a top speed of 1,383 mph, advanced avionics, and the ability to carry a vast array of armaments, the Rafael is one of the best fighter aircraft produced in Europe, nonetheless, produced domestically in France.

Dassault Aviation, the company behind the Rafale, has a storied history. Founded in 1929, Dassault has produced some of France’s most iconic military aircraft, including the Mirage series, which dominated global air combat in the late 20th century. The Mirage 2000, introduced in 1979, is still in the service of the French Armed Forces as a multirole fighter.

The Mirage series and the Rafale have both played important roles in shaping France’s operational air power over the decades. The Mirage jets (even the older models like the Mirage III or the current Mirage 2000) were central to France’s military operations since the 1960s. The Mirage III made its mark in air combat during conflicts like the Six-Day War, while the Mirage 2000 was a key player in NATO operations in Kosovo and Libya. Separately, the Dassault Rafale proved itself in Operation Serval in Mali, where it delivered precision strikes against insurgent targets.

Outside of the Rafale and Mirage, the French Air and Space Force also fields a number of helicopters like the NH90 and H215 Super Puma. France's helicopters play a few different roles in the broader scope of its military with any type of mission ranging from troop transport to special operations.

France’s position as Europe’s premier air power is built on the combination of advanced technology and a sizable fleet of combat aircraft. One thing that should be noted is that France's air force is also one of the youngest in Europe with most of its aircraft introduced after 2000.

The continuing innovation by Dassault Aviation also ensures that France will remain at the top of the heap in European air power. Currently, France is looking to further modernize its fleet, along with other European powers, with the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The FCAS will include a Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS) along with other air assets. The NGWS is expected to feature remote carrier vehicles like swarming drones and a New Generation Fighter (NGF), which is expected to replace France’s Rafales by around 2040. ( Exploring the future or military aviation. )

24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at France's air force. To identify the most widely flown combat aircraft in the French military, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft by how many are currently in active service. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft and top speed. We excluded trainer aircraft.

Here is a look at the most widely flown combat aircraft of the French Armed Forces: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the aircraft in France’s Air and Space Force is important, as it is the premier air power in Europe. Each aircraft has a distinct role that it plays within the fleet, whether it’s establishing air superiority, conducting precision strikes on long-range targets, or using advanced technology to gather intelligence. Knowing the specific aircraft France operates gives context to the country’s military strategies and capabilities, making a clearer picture of how France maintains its position as a leading military power in Europe.

10. H160M Guepard

• Type: Multi-mission military helicopter
• Year introduced: 2026
• Active aircraft: 0
• Aircraft on order: 40
• Top speed: 202 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 7.62mm sniper rifles, 12.7mm HMP400 machine gun pods, anti-ship missiles, air-to-surface missiles

The H160M Guepard is a multi-mission military helicopter that is set to become a key asset for the French Armed Forces when it enters service in 2026. Developed by Airbus Helicopters, the Guepard is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including troop transport, reconnaissance, close air support, and anti-ship warfare. With a top speed of 202 mph, the H160M is one of the faster helicopters in the world. Its armament includes 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine gun pods, and air-to-surface missiles.

Despite no active aircraft yet, France has ordered 40 units as part of its continuing modernization efforts. These new helicopters are expected to replace many of the older helicopters like the SA330 Puma and the AS565 Panther.

9. H215 Super Puma

• Type: Medium- / Heavy-lift transport helicopter
• Year introduced: 2004
• Active aircraft: 3
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Top speed: 171 mph
• Armament: Exocet anti-ship missiles

Introduced in 2004, the H215 Super Puma is a medium- to heavy-lift transport helicopter. Manufactured by Airbus Helicopters, this helicopter sees use in the military as well as among civilians. The Super Puma can hit a top speed of 171 mph, and it has a range of roughly 500 miles. While it is not normally armed, it can equip Exocet anti-ship missiles.

8. H160M

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