This is a list of equipment currently in service with the French Army. Figures are provided by the Ministry of Armed Forces for 2021.
Personal equipment
Uniforms NameOriginTypePhotoNotes Field uniformsBariolage Multi-Environnement (BME)Combat uniformCurrent standard camouflage of the French Armed Forces.Camouflage BTE (Bariolage théâtre européen) Combat uniform Standard camouflage pattern of the French Armed Forces In May 2022, it was announced a new camouflage pattern, the Bariolage Multi-Environnement (BME), was being developed and that it would replace the BTE as the standard camouflage pattern. Delivery of the BME has started as of late 2024 as planned with 6000 uniform already delivered.Camouflage BZD (Bariolage zone désertique) Combat uniform Desert camouflage of the French Armed Forces Camouflage BZE (Bariolage zone enneigée) Combat uniform Snow camouflage of the French Armed Forces Typically worn by the Alpine Hunters and other mountain unitsCOM FST-specific camouflage Combat uniform Various uniforms seen worn by operators of the French Army Special Forces Command's units. HelmetsCasque TC F NVG V2Casque TC 3001/3002 Combat helmet Variants of the MICH and manufactured by MSA Gallet TC F NVG V2 helmets seen used by some conventional units of the French army and TC 3001/3002 (pictured) seen used by special forces operators Entered service in 2009 and 2010 respectively Still occasionally seen usedOps-Core helmet Combat helmet Used by the Special Operations Command's units as well as by specialized conventional units such as the para commandos of the 11th Airborne Brigade's Parachute Commando Group (GCP) and the mountain commandos of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade's Mountain Commando Group (GCM)Casque FÉLINCasque balistique F3. Combat helmet First delivered in 2010, the FÉLIN ballistic helmet is the SPECTRA helmet's successor. It is an integral component of the FÉLIN system. The F3 helmet to be delivered from 2020 onwards and is an evolution of the FÉLIN. It will equip all army soldiers and meet the overall objective of renewing the armed forces' "small equipment" in accordance with the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law. Ballistic vestsStructure Modulaire Balistique (SMB)Bulletproof vest Standard-issue bulletproof vest of the French Armed Forces. Designed by the Norwegian company NFM Group and manufactured by Plastimor, its Lorient-based French subsidiary First units delivered in 2017 and 60,000 in service as of March 2022 5,900 SMB V2 units, an evolution of the SMB, have been delivered as of March 2022COM FST-specific ballistic vests Bulletproof vest Various bulletproof vests seen worn by the French Army Special Forces Command's units. BootsHAIX Centre Europe (HAIX Nepal Pro) Combat boots Standard combat boots of the French armyMeindl Desert Defence Combat boots Hot climate combat boots of the French army
Optronic devices and observation systems NameOriginTypePhotoNotesSafran Vectronix Vector 21 Multifunctional optronic device Succeeded the Leica Vector in general service The Vector 21 increases the range for distance measurements up to 12 km. It also has a 1,550 nm laser invisible to image intensification devices, providing an added level of security.Safran Vectronix JIM LR Multifunctional optronic device Long-range, multifunctional, infrared binoculars Equips conventional units Provides optimal day and night vision up to 10 km for threat detection, target identification and intelligence gathering on all terrains and in all weather conditions.Safran Vectronix JIM Compact Multifunctional optronic device Lightweight, multifunctional, long-range infrared binoculars Equips the Special Operations Command's units as well as specialized conventional units such as the Parachute Commando Group (GCP) and Mountain Commando Group (GCM) Allows operators to carry out missions of surveillance and geolocation of targets up to 12 km and is usable even in the most extreme environments. It notably combines advanced capabilities, such as See-Spot, low-light positive identification, transmission of information and filled-in images, channel fusion, and new functionalities dedicated to long-range fire, air support and artillery.Safran Vectronix Moskito TI Multifunctional optronic device Multifunctional stealth binoculars Used by the Special Operations Command's units, the Parachute Commando Group and Mountain Commando Group Offers full situational awareness 24 hours a day, notably providing distance measurement and geolocation of targets in just a few seconds up to 10 km, day and night. Safran claims it is the best-in-class in terms of both recognition capability and functionality.Thales JVN O-NYX Night vision device Successor of the Thales OB70 Lucie and meant to equip dismounted French units Entered service in 2020 10,000 units out of 15,000 ordered were delivered as of February 2023. An additional batch of 4,000 O-NYX was ordered the same month, with delivery of all 19,000 units expected by 2025.Thales JVN Bonie HP (High Performance) Night vision device Equips the Special Operations Command's units, the Parachute Commando Group and Mountain Commando Group since 2019
Special equipment NameOriginTypePhotoNotesFÉLIN system Integrated combat technology Delivered between 2010 and 2015 New updated version of the FÉLIN system in 2016 The total cost of the program for 18,552 systems issued to 18 regiments was estimated to be €1.07 billion (FY2016) 23,065 systems in service as of 2021
Infantry equipment
Pistols NameOriginTypeCartridgePhotoNotesGlock 17Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm Parabellum In January 2020, it was announced the Glock 17 Gen 5 FR, a custom-made fifth generation model of the Glock 17 ("FR" standing for "France"), had been selected to be the new standard-issue pistol of the French Armed Forces, replacing the MAC 50 and PAMAS G1. 74,596 units were ordered with 80% for the French Army. Full delivery of the order was completed in October 2022, with 74,600 units in total received.Les derniers pistolets semi-automatiques Glock 17 gen 5 ont été livrés aux forces françaises, Zone Militaire, 10/15 2022. PAMAS G1 Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum French-manufactured variant of the Beretta 92 Entered service with the national gendarmerie in 1989, with the Air Force in 1992, and with the Army and Navy in 1999 97,502 units in service in 2002 Also being replaced by the Glock 17 Gen 5 FR since 2020HK USP Compact TacticalSemi-automatic pistol.45 ACP Seen used by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional units such as army engineer divers
Submachine guns NameOriginTypeCartridgePhotoNotesHK MP5 A5HK MP5 SD3Submachine gun9×19mm Parabellum Used by the Special Operations Command's units HK MP7 A1HK MP7 A2 Submachine gun 4.6×30mm Used by the Special Operations Command's unitsFN P90 Submachine gun FN 5.7×28mmUsed by the Special Operations Command's units
Assault rifles NameOriginTypeCartridgePhotoNotesFAMAS F1Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO Service rifle of the French Armed Forces with over 700,000 units delivered Entered service in 1978 Being phased out and replaced with the HK416 F since 2017HK416 F HK416 D14.5RSHK416 A5Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATOIn 2017, the HK416 F, a custom-made model of the HK416 ("F" standing for "France"), was selected to replace the FAMAS as the standard-issue rifle of the French Armed Forces. The Aimpoint CompM5 was selected the following year to be the standard-issue sight for the rifle. 117,000 HK416 F have been ordered and 70,340 units have been delivered as of March 2023. The HK416 was already in service with the Special Operations Command's units since 2007, a decade before its selection to equip conventional forces. As of 2021, it still is the most commonly used assault rifle by French special forces operators.FN SCAR-LAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOUsed by the Special Operations Command's units and the Parachute Commando GroupSIG MCX VIRTUSAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO.300 AAC BlackoutUsed by the Special Operations Command's units and the Mountain Commando GroupSIG SG 553Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO Used by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional diving unitsAK-47Assault rifle7.62×39mm WBP Rogow Jack rifles Used for foreign weapons training and foreign troops instruction dispensed by the 51st Infantry Regiment and the 17th Artillery Group.
Sniper and anti-materiel rifles NameOriginTypeCartridgePhotoNotesFN SCAR-H PRDesignated marksman rifleSniper rifle7.62×51mm NATOSelected in 2019 to replace the FR F2 The full delivery of the 2,620 rifles, 1,096 infrared optronic modules and 1,766 light intensification optronic modules ordered was completed in February 2023.HK 417Battle rifleDesignated marksman rifle7.62×51mm NATOUsed by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional troopsPGM Ultima Ratio Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATOUsed by the Special Operations Command's unitsSako TRG-42Sniper rifle.300 Winchester Magnum.338 Lapua MagnumUsed by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional unitsCadex CDX-40 Shadow (Elsa)Sniper rifle.408 CTUsed by the Special Operations Command's unitsPGM Hécate II Anti-materiel rifle.50 BMGUsed by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional unitsBarrett M107Anti-materiel rifle.50 BMGUsed by the Special Operations Command's units
Machine guns NameOriginTypeCartridgePhotoNotesFN Minimi ParaLight machine gun5.56×45mm NATO Widely used in the French Armed ForcesFN EvolysLight machine gun5.56×45mm NATO7.62×51mm NATO Delivered in 2022 Used by the Special Operations Command's unitsFN MAG 58General purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATO Selected in 2010 to replace the ANF1 10,881 units ordered in 2011M2 BrowningHeavy machine gun.50 BMGUsed by the Special Operations Command's units and conventional forcesM134 MinigunRotary medium machine gun7.62×51mm NATOUsed by the Special Operations Command's units
Shotguns NameOriginTypeCartridgePhotoNotesBenelli M4 Super 90Semi-automatic shotgun12-gaugeUsed by the Special Operations Command's units and some conventional unitsBenelli Supernova TacticalPump-action shotgun12-gauge Selected the Benelli Supernova Tactical in 2022 as the new service shotgun.Mossberg 500Pump-action shotgun12-gauge Used by the Special Operations Command's units as well as by conventional troops stationed in French Guiana.Remington Model 870Pump-action shotgun12-gauge Used by conventional troops stationed in French Guiana.
Grenade launchers NameOriginTypeCaliberPhotoNotesHeckler & Koch AG36 Grenade launcher40mm grenadeIn service in limited numbers since 2014 10,767 units ordered in September 2016.Heckler & Koch 269 FGrenade launcher40mm grenadeThe HK269 is the result of the development of the 40mm x 46 low velocity M320 GLM with the ability to open the barrel to the left or right. It can be used under the HK416 F or as a stand-alone weapon.Milkor MGLGrenade launcher40mm grenade Used by the Special Operations Command's units Heckler & Koch GMG Grenade machine gun 40mm grenade Used by the Special Operations Command's units
Anti-tank weapons Name Origin Type Caliber Photo Notes AT4 CS Recoilless anti-tank weapon 84mm 2 AT4 CS per infantry squad The AT4 CS equips each of the grenadiers-voltigeurs of the 300 Meter fireteam. Work in progress concerns the acquisition of a night firing capability by 2020. The F2 standard will replace both the Eryx and the AT4 CS (F1) in French service. Delivery expected to begin in 2022. MILAN Anti-tank guided missile 115mm 0 Replaced by the Akeron MP Unknown number of firing posts and missiles donated to Ukraine in 2022 Eryx Anti-tank guided missile 136mm 310 700 firing posts and 12,000 missiles delivered 310 Launchers in service December 2025 to be replaced by the Akeron MP and by the AT4 F2 NLAW Anti-tank guided missile 150mm On order. Delivery 2026-2030. Option for more in the future. FGM-148 Javelin Fire-and-forget Anti-tank guided missile 127mm 0 76 launchers and 260 missiles delivered in 2011