Structure of the French Army

The structure of the French Army is fixed by Chapter 2 of Title II of Book II of the Third Part of the Code of Defense, notably resulting in the codification of Decree 2000-559 of 21 June 2000.

In terms of Article R.3222-3 of the Code of Defence, the Army comprises:

• The Chief of Staff of the French Army (Chef d'état-major de l'armée de terre (CEMAT)).
• The army staff (l'état-major de l'armée de terre (EMAT)), which directs and manages all the components;
• The Army Inspectorate (l'inspection de l'Armée de terre);
• The Army Human Resources Directorate (la direction des ressources humaines de l'armée de terre (DRHAT));
• The forces;
• A territorial organisation (5 land régions: Île-de-France, Nord-Ouest, Sud-Ouest, Sud-Est and Nord-Est);
• The services;
• The personnel training and military higher training organisms.

File:France Army - 2016.png

Structure of the French Army (click to enlarge).

Chief of Staff of the French Army

• General Commanding the Foreign Legion (Aubagne)
  • 1^er Régiment Etranger (1^er RE) - administration unit of the Foreign Legion in Aubagne
  • 4th Foreign Regiment, Foreign Legion - Training Regiment in Castelnaudary
• 25^e Régiment du Génie de l'Air (25^e RGA) - Air Engineer Regiment in Istres tasked with construction and maintenance of forward airbases
• Brigade de Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris (BSPP) - fire brigade for the city of Paris and surrounding suburbs, part of the Engineer Corps

Land Forces Command

The CFT (Commandement des Forces Terrestres or Land Forces Command) commands the eight combined arms brigades, as well as the support brigades.

Corps de Réaction Rapide - Rapid Reaction Corps

• Corps de Réaction Rapide - a NATO corps sized deployable headquarters in Lille.

2nd Armd Bde

4th Air Combat Bde

6th Lt Armd Bde

7th Armd Bde

9th Marine Lt Armd Bde

11th Para Bde

27th Mtn Bde

Franco-
German
Bde

Combat brigades of the Armee de Terre 2015

1^re Division – 1st Division

Based in Besançon. Formerly the État-major de force n° 1 (EMF 1). Carries the traditions of the 1st Armored Division.

• 1^er Régiment d'Artillerie (1^er RA) - Rocket Artillery Regiment in Bourogne with MLRS
• 19^e Régiment du Génie (19^e RG) Engineer Regiment in Besançon
• 132^e Bataillon Cynophile de l'Armée de Terre (132^e BCAT) - Military Working Dog Battalion in Suippes

7^e Brigade Blindée – 7th Armoured Brigade

Main article: 7th Armoured Brigade (France)

Based in Besançon.

• 7^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (7^e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Besançon with VAB
• 1^er Régiment de Chasseurs (1^er RCh) - Armoured Regiment in Verdun with 60 Leclerc
• 5^e Régiment de Dragons (5^e RD) - Armoured Regiment in Mailly-le-Camp with 60 Leclerc
• 1^er Régiment de Tirailleurs (1^er RTir) - Infantry Regiment in Epinal with VBCI
• 35^e Régiment d'Infanterie (35^e RI) - Infantry Regiment in Belfort with VBCI
• 152^e Régiment d'Infanterie (152^e RI) - Infantry Regiment in Colmar with VBCI
• 68^e Régiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique (68^e RAA) - Artillery Regiment in Valbonne with 12x CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and 16x 120mm RTF1 mortars
• 3^e Régiment du Génie (3^e RG) - Engineer Regiment in Charleville-Mézières

9^e Brigade Légère Blindée de Marine - 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade

Main article: 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade (France)

Based in Poitiers.

• 9^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (9^e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Poitiers with VAB
• Régiment d'Infanterie-Chars de Marine (RICM) - Armoured Marine Infantry Regiment (light cavalry) in Poitiers with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
• 1^er Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (1^er RIMa) - Armoured Marine Infantry Regiment (light cavalry) in Angoulême with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
• 2^e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (2^e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Le Mans with VBCI
• 3^e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (3^e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Vannes with VAB
• 126^e Régiment d'Infanterie (126^e RI) - Infantry Regiment in Brive-la-Gaillarde with VAB
• 11^e Régiment d'Artillerie de Marine (11^e RAMa) - Marine Artillery Regiment in Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier with TRF1 howitzers, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars
• 6^e Régiment du Génie (6^e RG) - Engineer Regiment in Angers

27^e Brigade d’infanterie de Montagne – 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade

Main article: 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (France)

Based in Varces.

• 27^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions de Montagne (27^e CCTM) - Command and Signals Company in Varces
• 4^e Régiment de Chasseurs (4^e RCh) - Wheeled Armoured Regiment in Gap with 36 ERC 90, 16 VBL and 6 Gazelle helicopters
• 7^e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins (7^e BCA) - Mountain Infantry Battalion in Bourg-Saint-Maurice with VAB and VHM
• 13^e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins (11^e BCA) - Mountain Infantry Battalion in Chambéry with VAB and VHM
• 27^e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins (27^e BCA) - Mountain Infantry Battalion in Annecy with VAB and VHM
• 93^e Régiment d'Artillerie de Montagne (93^e RAM) - Mountain Artillery Regiment in Varces with CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars
• 2^e Régiment Etranger de Génie (2^e REG) in Saint-Christol

Brigade Franco-Allemande – Franco-German Brigade

Main article: Franco-German Brigade

Based in Müllheim

French contribution:

• 3^e Régiment de Hussards (3^e RH) - Wheeled Armoured Regiment in Metz (France) with AMX 10 RC and VBL
• 1^er Régiment d'Infanterie (1^er RI) - Infantry Regiment in Sarrebourg with VAB

3^e Division – 3rd Division

Based in Marseille. Formerly the État-major de force n° 3 (EMF 3). Carries the traditions of the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division.

• 2^e Régiment de Dragons (2^e RD-NBC) - Défense Nucléaire Biologique et chimique NBC-defense Regiment in Fontevraud-l'Abbaye
• 54^e Régiment d'Artillerie (54^e RA) - Air-defense Regiment in Hyères with Mistral
• 31^e Régiment du Génie (31^e RG) - Engineer Regiment in Castelsarrasin

2^e Brigade Blindée – 2nd Armored Brigade

Main article: 2nd Armoured Brigade (France)

Based in Illkirch-Graffenstaden.

• 2^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (2^e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Illkirch-Graffenstaden with VAB
• 12^e Régiment de Cuirassiers (12^e RC) - Armoured Regiment in Olivet with 60 Leclerc
• 501^e Régiment de Chars de Combat (501^e RCC) - Armoured Regiment in Mourmelon-le-Grand with 60 Leclerc
• Régiment de Marche du Tchad (RMT) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Meyenheim with VBCI
• 16^e Bataillon de Chasseurs (16^e BC) - Infantry Battalion in Bitche with VBCI
• 92^e Régiment d'Infanterie (92^e RI) - Infantry Regiment in Clermont-Ferrand with VBCI
• 40^e Régiment d'Artillerie (40^e RA) Self-propelled Howitzer Regiment in Suippes with 32 GCT 155mm and 12 120mm mortars
• 13^e Régiment du Génie (13^e RG) - Engineer Regiment in Valdahon

6^e Brigade Légère Blindée – 6th Light Armoured Brigade

Legionnaires in parade uniform

Main article: 6th Light Armoured Brigade (France)

Based in Nîmes.

• 6^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (6^e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Nîmes with VAB
• 1^er Régiment de Spahis – Cavalry Regiment in Valence with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
• 1^er Régiment Etranger de Cavalerie (1^er REC) Foreign Legion - Cavalry Regiment in Orange with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
• 2^e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (2^e REI) - Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment in Nîmes with VBCI
• 13^e Demi Brigade de Légion Etrangère (13^e DBLE) - Foreign Legion regiment in with VAB
• 21^e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (21^e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Fréjus with VAB
• 3^e Régiment d'Artillerie de Marine (3^e RAMa) - Marine Artillery Regiment in Canjuers with TRF1 howitzers, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars
• 1^er Régiment Étranger de Génie (1^er REG) - Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment in Laudun

11^e Brigade Parachutiste – 11th Parachute Brigade

8th RPIMa insignia

Main article: List of French Paratrooper Units

Main article: 11th Parachute Brigade

Based in Balma.

• 11^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions Parachutiste (11^e CCTP) - Command and Signals Company in Balma
• 1^er Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes (1^er RHP) - Parachute Hussar Regiment in Tarbes with ERC 90
• 1^er Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes (1^er RCP) Parachute Chasseur Regiment in Pamiers
• 2^e Régiment Etranger de Parachutistes (2^e REP) French Foreign Legion - Parachute Regiment in Calvi
• 3^e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (3^e RPIMa) - Marine Parachute Regiment in Carcassonne
• 8^e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (8^e RPIMa) - Marine Parachute Regiment in Castres
• 35^e Régiment d'Artillerie Parachutiste (35^e RAP) - Parachute Artillery Regiment in Tarbes with TRF1 howitzers, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars
• 17^e Régiment du Génie Parachutiste (17^e RGP) - Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban
• 1^er Régiment du Train Parachutiste (1^er RTP) - Parachute Supply Regiment in Toulouse

Brigade de Renseignement – Reconnaissance Brigade

Based in Haguenau

• 2^e Régiment de Hussards (2^e RH) - Reconnaissance Regiment in Haguenau with VBL
• 44^e Régiment de Transmissions (44^e RT) - Signals Intelligence Regiment in Mutzig
• 54^e Régiment de Transmissions (54^e RT) - Tactical Electronic Warfare Regiment in Haguenau
• 61st Artillery Regiment (61 RA) - Unmanned aerial vehicle Regiment at Quartier Général d'Aboville, Chaumont with CL-289 drones
• 28^e Groupe Géographique (28^e GG) - Topography Unit in Haguenau
• Centre Interarmées des Actions sur l’Environnement (CIAE) - PSYOPS unit in Lyon
• 785^e Composante Guerre Electronique (785^e CGE) - Electronic Warfare Centre in Orléans

Brigade de Transmissions – Signal Brigade

Based in Douai

• 28^e Régiment de Transmissions (28^e RT) - Signal Regiment Issoire
• 40^e Régiment de Transmissions (40^e RT) - Signal Regiment Thionville
• 41^e Régiment de Transmissions (41^e RT) - Signal Regiment Douai
• 48^e Régiment de Transmissions (48^e RT) - Signal Regiment Agen
• 53^e Régiment de Transmissions (53^e RT) - Signal Regiment Lunéville

Brigade Logistique – Logistics Brigade

Armoured medical transportation vehicle

Based in Montlhéry

• 121^e Régiment du Train (121^e RT) - Logistic Regiment in Montlhéry
• 503^e Régiment du Train (503^e RT) - Logistic Regiment in Nîmes
• 511^e Régiment du Train (511^e RT) - Logistic Regiment in Auxonne
• 515^e Régiment du Train (515^e RT) - Logistic Regiment in Angoulême
• 516^e Régiment du Train (516^e RT) - Logistic Regiment in Toul
• 519^e Groupe de Transit Maritime (519^e GTM) - Sea Transport Group in Toulon
• Régiment de soutien du combattant - Combat Logistic Regiment in Toulouse
• Régiment Médical (RMED) - Field Hospital Regiment in Valbonne
• 24^e Régiment d'Infanterie-Bataillon de réserve Ile de France - vital points protection reserve Battalion in Paris

Brigade du Matériel - Material (Supply) Brigade

• 2^e Régiment du Matériel (2^e RMAT) - Material Regiment in Bruz
• 3^e Régiment du Matériel (3^e RMAT) - Material Regiment in Muret
• 4^e Régiment du Matériel (4^e RMAT) - Material Regiment in Nimes
• 6^e Régiment du Matériel (6^e RMAT) Material Regiment in Besançon
• 7^e Régiment du Matériel (7^e RMAT) - Material Regiment in Lyon
• 8^e Régiment du Matériel (8^e RMAT) - Material Regiment in Mourmelon

Commandement des centres de préparation des forces

• Le centre d'entraînement des postes de commandement (CEPC) ;
• Le centre d'entraînement au combat (CENTAC), implantés sur le camp de Mailly (10) ;
• Le centre d'entraînement aux actions en zone urbaine (CENZUB) implanté sur le camp de Sissonne (02) ;
• Le centre d'entraînement des brigades (CEB) implanté sur le camp de Mourmelon-le-Grand (51), englobant également les camps de Suippes et de Moronvilliers ;
• 1^er Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique (1^er RCA) - Armoured Training Regiment in Canjuers
• Le centre d'entraînement de l'infanterie au tir opérationnel (CEITO) implanté sur le camp du Larzac à la Cavalerie (12) ;
• 17^e Groupe d'Artillerie (17^e GA) - Air Defense Artillery Training Battalion at Biscarosse, Landes

COS

Main article: Commandement des Opérations Spéciales

The Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (Special Operations Command, COS) is the command, which coordinates the use of the French special forces of all military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force and Gendarmerie). The Special Forces units of the French Army are united in the Brigade des Forces Spéciales Terre (Army Special Forces Brigade, BFST).

Army Special Forces Brigade

Based in Pau

• 1^er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (1^er RPIMa) Special Forces Regiment in Bayonne
• 13^e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes (13^e RDP) Long Range Reconnaissance Regiment in Martignas-sur-Jalle.
• 4^e Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales (4^e RHFS) Special Operations Army Aviation Regiment in Pau

ALAT

The Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre (ALAT) controls the army's light aviation units and training establishments. ALAT is headquartered at Vélizy-Villacoublay.

• 9^e Bataillon de Soutien Aéromobile - Aviation maintenance base in Montauban.

4th Air-Combat Brigade

The 4^e Brigade Aéro-Combat (4^e BAC) is based in Clermont-Ferrand.

• 4^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (4^e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Clermont-Ferrand
• 1^er Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat (1^er RHC) - Combat Helicopter Regiment in Phalsbourg with 42 Gazelle, 20 Puma and 14 Cougar helicopters
• 3^e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat (3^e RHC) - Combat Helicopter Regiment in Étain with 37 Gazelle, 16 Puma helicopters
• 5^e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat (5^e RHC) - Combat Helicopter Regiment in Pau with 52 Gazelle helicopters

Support Bases

• 5^e Base de Soutien du Matériel (5^e BSMAT) - Materials Base in Draguignan
• 12^e Base de Soutien du Matériel (12^e BSMAT) - Materials Base in Salbris
• 13^e Base de Soutien du Matériel (13^e BSMAT) - Materials Base in Clermont-Ferrand

Army units permanently deployed overseas

Africa and Middle East

• 5^e Régiment de Cuirassiers (5^e RC) - Mixed Regiment based in the United Arab Emirates
• 5^e Régiment Interarmes d’Outre-Mer (5^e RIAOM) - Mixed Marine Regiment in Djibouti equipped with AMX 10 RC
• 6^e Bataillon d’Infanterie de Marine (6^e BIMa) - Marine Infantry Battalion based in Gabon equipped with ERC 90 Sagaie

Caribbean

• Détachement Terre Antilles/33e RIMa (33e RIMa) in Fort-de-France (Martinique) (infantry)

French Guiana

• 3^e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie, 3^e REI - Infantry regiment tasked with the protection of the European Guiana Space Centre in Kourou
• 9^e Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine (9^e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Cayenne

Indian Ocean

• 2^e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (2^e RPIMa) - Marine Airborne Infantry Regiment in Saint-Pierre, Réunion
• Détachement de Légion Etrangère de Mayotte (DLEM) - Foreign Legion detachment in Mayotte with 240 men

Pacific Ocean

• Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine du Pacifique Nouvelle Calédonie (RIMaP-NC) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Nouméa, New Caledonia
• Régiment d'infanterie de marine du Pacifique - Polynésie (RIMaP-P) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Papeete, Tahiti