AWACS Archives

98 aircraft showcase France's air power. Authors: Martin Gillet & Benoît Denet reporting from Évreux Air Force Base (Base aérienne 105) LFOE. Opération 4 Juillet 2026 © Martin Gillet The July 14, 2026, military parade will highlight the theme “Europe’s Strategic Awakening,” illustrating the strengthening of European cooperation in the face of a rapidly changing security environment. The Champs-Élysées will host the marching formations and motorised units. At the same time, the skies over Paris will offer one of the highlights of this year’s event: an air parade featuring 98 aircraft from the French Air and Space Force, the French Navy, and several allied nations. The air show is designed to showcase France’s key air capabilities: territorial defence, power projection, nuclear deterrence, intelligence, tactical transport, in-flight refuelling, and operational support. Le défilé aérien des avions (14 Juillet 2026) The Patrouille de France Kicks Off the Show As is tradition, the Patrouille de France opens the parade with its “Big Nine” formation, consisting of nine Alpha Jets. A symbol of the French Air and Space Force’s excellence for more than 70 years, the Patrouille de France remains an ambassador for French aeronautical expertise. Rafale and Mirage 2000: The Pillars of Combat Aviation Fighter jets naturally form the core of the force. The Dassault Rafale, deployed daily in operations, carries out missions ranging from air superiority to ground strikes, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence. Versatile, it is now the flagship aircraft of the French Air Force. Alongside it, several versions of the Mirage 2000 continue their operational service. Despite being gradually phased out, these aircraft continue to carry out air policing, air support, and air defence missions. Defending French Airspace The parade (Défilé) also highlights the Permanent Air Security Posture (PPS-A), a system that continuously protects national airspace. This mission keeps fighter jets on constant standby, ready to take off within minutes, supported by aerial surveillance aircraft, command centres, and ground control systems. Each year, these aircraft are deployed hundreds of times to identify or intercept aircraft that do not comply with air traffic regulations. The Strategic Component The parade also highlights the essential role of the Strategic Air Forces (FAS). The Rafale carrying the ASMPA missile (an airborne nuclear missile launched from a fighter jet as part of France’s deterrence strategy) represents the airborne component of France’s nuclear deterrent, one of the two pillars of national deterrence alongside nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. This capability guarantees France’s strategic autonomy. The Aircraft That Make Operations Possible While fighter jets naturally attract the most attention, modern operations rely just as much on support aircraft. The display dedicated to operational support illustrates this reality by showcasing the aircraft that provide daily troop transport, aerial refuelling, medical evacuations, parachute drops, logistical support, and support for special forces. Airbus A400M Atlas The backbone of France’s tactical transport fleet, the A400M Atlas can carry up to 37 metric tons of equipment or more than 100 military personnel. Capable of operating from rudimentary runways, it also conducts paratrooper drops, cargo airdrops, and medical evacuations. Its range allows it to rapidly deploy personnel and equipment to theaters of operations. Airbus A330 MRTT Phénix The Phénix, a multi-role military aircraft capable of refuelling other aircraft in flight, transporting passengers or cargo, and conducting medical evacuations, has become an indispensable asset. It simultaneously provides in-flight refuelling for fighter jets, strategic transport of passengers or cargo, and long-distance medical evacuations. It also serves as a vital link in the airborne nuclear component. Refer to the article from June 24, 2019, at Paris Airshow : “Meet & Greet with Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Crew” with full insights on A330 MRTT Phénix. Boeing E-3F AWACS Recognisable by its imposing circular radar, the E-3F AWACS provides aerial surveillance, long-range detection, and operational command. It is a flying command post that detects airborne threats and coordinates missions in real time. It coordinates fighter jets and provides a comprehensive overview of the tactical situation, which is essential during complex air operations. Spotlight: The Airbus Military (formerly CASA) CN235-300, the Close-Support Aircraft Although less spectacular than fighter jets, the CASA CN235-300 is nonetheless one of the most heavily used aircraft by the French military. Designed for light tactical transport, it can take off and land on short, sometimes unpaved runways, enabling it to resupply isolated detachments or forward bases. CASA CN235 © Martin Gillet Its versatility allows it to carry out: the transport of military personnel and cargo; the airdropping of paratroopers and equipment; medical evacuations (EVASAN); support for special forces; humanitarian missions; rescue operations during natural disasters. The CASA CN-235 is a military tactical transport aircraft renowned for its great versatility. Thanks to its ability to take off and land on short runways, including unpaved ones, it can be rapidly deployed in a variety of often challenging environments. This flexibility makes it an essential aircraft for military and humanitarian operations. Introduced into service with the French Air and Space Force in 1993, the CN-235 has participated in numerous overseas operations, notably in Rwanda, Africa, and the overseas territories. Today, it continues to carry out tactical transport missions with squadrons based at Évreux Air Base 105 as well as with overseas transport squadrons. The CN-235 can carry up to 44 passengers or several cargo pallets. It can also be configured for VIP transport, medical evacuation with up to 12 stretchers and a medical team, or parachute drops of personnel and equipment. Its numerous configurations allow it to effectively carry out a wide variety of missions. In addition to its transport missions, the CASA CN-235 is used in search and rescue operations as well as maritime surveillance. In particular, it helps combat illicit trafficking and regularly participates in relief missions during natural disasters. Technically, the CN-235 stands out for its excellent performance on rough terrain. It requires approximately 1,000 meters to take off and only 600 meters to land. It reaches a maximum speed of 460 km/h, has a range of 4,355 km, and is equipped with two General Electric CT7-9C3 engines, each producing 1,750 ch. During the rehearsals, we had the exclusive opportunity for Aviation 24 to follow the CASA CN-235 crew up close. This immersive experience allowed us to observe mission preparations and speak with the pilots to better understand the demands of tactical airlift. The Master Plan © Martin Gillet Briefing underway © Martin Gillet © Martin Gillet Interview – On Board the CASA CN-235 Av24: Today, we’re at the 64th Transport Wing, home to the two CASA CN-235 squadrons: the Vercors and the Ventoux. How is this mission organised? Pilot: "We assembled the crew with personnel from the wing, the Vercors, and the Ventoux. Assignments were made based on each person’s qualifications and available personnel, since not everyone is on duty at the same time during the summer. The CASA’s primary mission is a logistical one. We transport cargo, equipment, and passengers, both within France and across Europe, as well as to overseas theatres of operations. CASA CN235 Crew © Martin Gillet In total, the French Air and Space Force has 27 CASA aircraft. Some are based in Évreux, while others are permanently deployed overseas—notably in French Guiana, Réunion, Djibouti, and Tahiti—to support logistical missions in these areas of strategic interest". Av24: What is the main challenge during this type of mission? Pilot: "The main challenge stems from the fact that the CASA is a propeller-driven aircraft. Power management is very different from that of a jet aircraft. When we apply power to the engines, the response is not instantaneous: there is a slight delay before the aircraft actually accelerates. © Benoit Denet Casa Cn-235 © Benoit Denet During certain phases of flight, we fly just a few dozen metres away from other aircraft. This requires extremely precise control inputs. Each adjustment must be gradual so that we can approach other aircraft safely, without any sudden movements. On board, everything is done manually. We perform our calculations using our charts and calculators. That is why there are three pilots in the cockpit for this mission. The pilot on the left focuses exclusively on flying the aircraft. The pilot on the right handles all radio communications. Finally, the third pilot, seated in the centre, monitors flight parameters and ensures the mission's overall safety. Since our attention is largely focused on the other aircraft, this division of tasks is essential and requires a great deal of coordination". Colonel S. in the right-hand seat © Benoit Denet Airborne CASA CN235 © Martin Gillet Av24: How do you manage to stick to such a precise schedule? Pilot: "We use a navigation log that lists all the waypoints for the mission. For each one, a scheduled passage time is set. We constantly compare our estimated time of arrival with the scheduled time. Based on the remaining distance and our ground speed, we perform quick calculations to adjust our speed and arrive at each waypoint exactly on time. This precision is essential to ensure the mission runs smoothly and to coordinate with other aircraft. This version flows more naturally, with a style similar to an interview published in a magazine or transcribed for a TV report". Airborne CASA CN235 © Martin Gillet A Comprehensive Air Force Display for the 2026 Air Show The 2026 air show is not just a spectacle. It presents a cohesive vision of the French military air force, in which each aircraft fulfils a complementary role. Casa CN-235 © Benoit Denet Casa CN-235 © Benoit Denet Airborne Formation © Martin Gillet In close formation approaching Orléans. © Benoit Denet From Rafales tasked with protecting the homeland to A400Ms projecting forces into theatres of operations, from Phénix aircraft refuelling fighters to AWACS coordinating missions, and including CN235s providing close-range tactical transport, all 98 aircraft demonstrate the French armed forces’ ability to respond rapidly—either independently or alongside their allies—across the entire spectrum of operations. This version is tailored for an aviation audience. It can be further expanded to include the exact order of appearance of the 98 aircraft, the participating squadrons, the registration numbers, as well as the foreign aircraft participating in the parade, as detailed in the ministry’s official report. © Benoit Denet C-130J GAF © Benoit Denet Happy National Day to all our loyal French readership! Thank you to all the staff at the Evreux Base for their warm welcome and their willingness to help. Thank you to the Armed Forces Information and Public Relations Service for this opportunity. UPDATE Swedish Gripen joins Bastille Day flypast for the first time A Swedish JAS 39 Gripen took part in France’s Bastille Day military flypast for the first time, symbolising closer European and NATO cooperation. Flown by Captain Patrik Lange, the aircraft joined an international formation of nearly 100 aircraft over Paris as part of this year’s celebrations themed “The Awakening of Europe.”

Tag: AWACS

[French National Day, July 14, 2026] 98 aircraft showcase France’s air power

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