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France has used many military aircraft both in the French Air and Space Force, and other branches of its armed forces. Multiple 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 19th century 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 armistice in 1940 marked a low point, with Vichy France being allowed only reduced numbers and development halting. Many French aircraft were captured and used by Nazi Germany and its allies. Some aircraft that did escape served with the Allies or Free French forces, who also used many other types of allied aircraft. The cold-war saw the continued use of many other Western aircraft, mainly from the U.S., 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.

To the end of World War I

World War II

See List of aircraft of the French Air Force during World War II

Rest of the 20th century

21st century

Aircraft either introduced after 2000 or in service as of 2000.

Fixed-wing

Propeller

Jet

Helicopters

Gallery of the progression of French fighters

• 
  SPAD S.XIII the main French fighter in late World War I.
• 
  D510 variant of Dewoitine D.500 the main French interwar fighter.
• 
  Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 main French fighter during the Battle of France.
• 
  Dewoitine D.520 main fighter of Vichy France which existed during World War II.
• 
  Swiss variant of Dassault Mirage III the main French fighter during the Cold War.
• 
  Dassault Rafale current French fighter as of 2023.

Gallery of the progression of French naval fighters

• 
  Lévy-Biche LB.2 an interwar naval fighter that was based on Béarn the first French aircraft carrier that came into service in the 1920s.
• 
  Dassault Étendard IV main French naval fighter of the Cold War.
• 
  Dassault Rafale M a variant of the Dassault Rafale for use on aircraft carriers. It is currently as of 2023 the only French naval fighter.

References