For its 2024 edition, the presentation of the French Army (PAT) highlighted the "Stakes and aims of the air-land environment" at the École Militaire. A layman might wonder: what is the link between the air environment and an army on land? The answer is that there are many such links, and they are becoming increasingly important in today's conflicts.
In increasingly complex theatres, the air-land dimension aims to increase operational effectiveness. Depending on the operation, there is obviously strategic coordination between the land forces and the air and space forces. But the land forces also have air capabilities within their ranks, which make up the air-land dimension along with the ground forces.
The main air-land uses are as follows: intelligence and surveillance using UAVs and airborne sensors, aerial fire support for ground forces, tactical transport and logistics, airmobile and parachute operations, and ground-air defence against airborne threats.
The best-known air-land capability is undoubtedly the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT). With around 300 aircraft (mainly helicopters), it is used for target spotting, anti-tank combat and soldier transport, providing the army with rapid mobility and crucial fire support for deployed units.
The ALAT includes combat helicopters (such as the Tigre), assault helicopters (NH90 Caïman), and a multi-task model, the Guépard (Airbus H160M).
The culmination of a programme launched in 2017, the Guépard stands out for its versatility, as it replaces 5 models previously used within the ALAT: the Fennec, Gazelle, Panther, Alouette III and Dauphin.
The other major component of the air-land dimension is the army's large fleet of drones. These include tactical, intelligence and contact drones, several of which were at the PAT last week.
A fixed-wing drone, the SQ20 is used as an aerial target for anti-aircraft training with light infantry weapons, machine guns and machine guns. The RQ-11 Raven is an American-designed light combat drone.
Rescue services also use drones, for example to provide visual support during operations, particularly on inaccessible or dangerous sites. This is the case with the different variants of the DJI Matrice or Mavic drones.
The AVATAR mini-UAV, developed by DGA Techniques Terrestres and the French Defence Innovation Agency, will also be on show at the École Militaire. It will be a combat UAV equipped with sensors and an HK-416 laser-fired assault rifle.
The last crucial function of the air-land dimension is artillery preparation, with airspace management for long-range fire (with Caesar guns or unitary rocket launchers, for example).
The Scorpion programme to modernise combat capabilities, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is crucial to the air-land dimension, since its unique combat information system facilitates ground-to-air communications between all types of aircraft: for example, new-generation armoured vehicles such as the Griffon, Serval or Jaguar are equipped with advanced sensors and information systems that enable them to receive and share tactical data in real time, in particular in conjunction with airborne observation resources.
Miniaturisation and new technologies mean that sensors, weapons systems and decision centres can be increasingly integrated. Combining air power and ground expertise, the air-land dimension is an effective response to modern threats. Thanks to its advanced resources and close coordination between forces, it offers a unique capability for intervention, protection and power projection, essential for the conflicts of today and tomorrow.
