French Paramilitary Aviation

French Paramilitary Aviation (Gendarmerie and Customs) and Coastguard Aviation (Navy Public Service)

In the French system, coastguard duties are performed under the "Action de l’État en Mer" (AEM) framework, which integrates assets from the Gendarmerie Maritime, the Customs (Douanes), and the Naval Aviation's specialized public service units.

FRENCH PARAMILLITARY AVIATION • Gendarmerie & Customs

Personnel: ε95,100 (Gendarmerie active); ε31,500 (Gendarmerie reserve). Status: Operational. Strategy: Internal security, counter-terrorism support (GIGN), border surveillance, and maritime law enforcement.

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type

• HELICOPTER 60 active platforms.

Police Support & Internal Security:

• 25 Aerospatiale AS350BA Ecureuil.
• 20 Airbus H135.
• 15 Airbus H145.
  • (Note: These units provide tactical support for regional gendarmerie commands and the Security and Intervention Brigade (GIGN)).

• AMPHIBIOUS MANOEUVRE (INTEGRATED SUPPORT)

Patrol & Coastal Combatants:

• 41 Patrol Boats (various classes including VCSM and VSMP).
  
  

FRENCH COASTGUARD AVIATION • Public Service Aviation (Navy/AEM)

Coastguard functions are primarily executed by Naval Aviation units dedicated to maritime surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), and sovereignty protection.

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type

• AIRCRAFT (Fixed-wing Maritime Patrol) 25 active platforms.

Maritime Patrol (MPA) & Surveillance:

• 12 Dassault Falcon 2000LXS (Albatros).
  • (Note: Primary long-range maritime surveillance and EEZ protection platform).
• 8 Dassault Falcon 50MI/MS.
• 5 Dassault Falcon 20H Gardian.
  • (Note: Dedicated to maritime surveillance in overseas territories such as French Polynesia and New Caledonia).

• HELICOPTER (Search & Rescue / Rotary-wing) 45+ active airframes.

Maritime Search & Rescue (SAR):

• 9 Aerospatiale AS365N/F Dauphin 2.
• 4 Airbus H160B (Leased for interim search and rescue duties).
• 12 Aerospatiale SA319B Alouette III (Remaining units in specialized littoral support/training roles).

Maritime Law Enforcement (Rotary-wing):

• 16 Aerospatiale AS565SA Panther.
  • (Note: Utilized for frigate-based maritime interdiction and anti-smuggling operations).

• UNCREWED SYSTEMS (ISR Support)

Maritime Recce (UAS):

• 4 Schiebel S-100 Camcopter (Naval integrated).
  
  

Strategic Note: By 2026, the French paramilitary and coastguard aviation structure has moved toward standardization under the LPM 2024–2030. The Gendarmerie maintains a robust rotary-wing fleet of H135 and H145 helicopters, which are increasingly networked with the national "digitalization" strategy to provide real-time aerial intelligence for internal security. In the maritime domain, the full induction of the Falcon 2000LXS (Albatros) fleet significantly expands France's ability to monitor its massive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) against illegal fishing and environmental threats. The interim use of leased H160B helicopters ensures that high-readiness search and rescue (SAR) capabilities remain uninterrupted while the broader transition to the H160M Guépard continues across all branches.