French Foreign Legion equipment. Learn what pistol, rifles, machine guns, missile systems, personnel carriers, and other equipment are used by the Foreign Legion in the 2020s. See what the active legionnaires are equipped with during their training, guard duties, ceremonies, maneuvers, deployments, and military operations in France or abroad. Dozens of pictures. Well-ordered data.
French Foreign Legion Weapons
GLOCK 17
GLOCK 17 Gen 5 (also GLOCK 17 FR) is a standard semi-automatic pistol used by the Foreign Legion. It is produced by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H.. The GLOCK 17 has been used by the French Army since 2020, and by the Legion since 2021. It replaced the old PA MAC 50 and PA MAS G1 pistols as a standard handgun (sidearm). However, a simple legionnaire is not issued a pistol as part of his kit. He uses it during training sessions only. During service duties, the pistol is issued to officers and NCOs, sometimes even to (senior) corporals, for personal defense.
- Caliber: 9 mm
- Mass (without ammunition): 718 g / 25.3 oz
- Length: 186 mm / 7.3 in
- Feed system: 17-round magazine
- Effective range: 50 m / 55 yd
- Muzzle velocity: 375 m/s / 1,230 ft/s
FAMAS F1
FAMAS (Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne – Assault rifle of the Weapons factory of Saint-Étienne) is the bullpup assault service rifle. It was designed by the French manufacturer in 1973 and had been used by the French Armed Forces as their principal weapon between the late 1970s and the late 2010s. The Foreign Legion received the first FAMAS rifles in late 1979. Since 2017, the rifle has been replaced by the HK 416 F. However, in late 2023, there were several Legion units still equipped with the FAMAS.
- Caliber: 5,56 mm
- Mass (without ammunition): 3,780 g / 133.3 oz (F1 standard magazine version) or 3,747 g / 132.2 oz (G2 magazine version for NATO operations)
- Mass (with ammunition): 4,370 g / 154.1 oz (F1) or 4,170 g / 147.1 oz (G2)
- Length: 757 mm / 29.8 in
- Feed system: 25-round magazine (F1) or 30-round magazine (G2)
- Effective range: 300 m / 328 yd
- Max range: 3,200 m / 3,500 yd
- Rate of fire: 1,000 rounds/min (F1) or 1,100 rounds/min (G2)
- Muzzle velocity: 960 m/s / 1,050 yd/s (F1) or 925 m/s / 1,012 yd/s (G2)
HK 416 F
HK 416 F (Heckler & Koch HK416 French version) is an assault rifle made by a German defense manufacturing company. The French version of the rifle is a modified version of the HK 416 A5, displayed for the first time in 2008. The French Armed Forces made a deal in 2016 to replace the FAMAS with the HK 416 as their new principal weapon. Around 93,000 rifles are to be delivered between 2017 and 2028 (38,500 in standard version equipped with a grenade launcher and 54,500 in short version). The Foreign Legion has been using the HK 416 F since June 2017 (its 13e DBLE was one of the first two French Army regiments to receive it).
- Caliber: 5.56 mm
- Mass: 4,000 g / 141.1 oz (416F-S standard) or 3,700 g / 130.5 oz (416F-C short version)
- Length: 830-930 mm / 32.7-36.6 in (416F-S standard) or 740-840 mm / 29.1-33.1 in (416F-C short version)
- Feed system: 30-round magazine
- Effective range: 400 m / 437 yd (416F-S standard) or 300 m / 328 yd (416F-C short version)
- Max range: 3,600 m / 3,940 yd
- Rate of fire: 850 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity: 882 m/s / 965 yd/s (416F-S standard) or 780 m/s / 853 yd/s (416F-C short version)
FN Minimi
FN Minimi (Mini-Mitrailleuse – Mini machine gun) is a machine gun used by the French Armed Forces, including the Foreign Legion. The Minimi was created in Belgium by a Fabrique Nationale (FN) factory in 1974.
- Caliber: 5.56 mm
- Mass (without ammunition): 6,850 g / 241.6 oz or 6,500 g / 229.3 oz (Paratrooper version)
- Length: 1,038 mm / 40.9 in or 910 mm / 35.8 in (Para) – 725 mm / 28.5 in (Para stock collapsed)
- Feed system: 30-round magazine or 200-round belt
- Effective range: 300-1,000 m / 328-1,094 yd
- Max range: 2,700-3,000 m / 2,953-3,281 yd
- Rate of fire: 900 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity: 925 m/s / 1,012 yd/s or 866 m/s / 947 yd/s (Para)
FN MAG 58
FN MAG 58 (Mitrailleuse d’Appui Général – General purpose Machine Gun) is a gas-operated machine gun used by the Foreign Legion and other French Armed Forces units. It was created by a Belgium company FN (Fabrique Nationale) Herstal in 1958. First FN MAG 58 guns were received by the French Army in 2013. They had to replace gradually the older AANF1. The Foreign Legion has received them since 2017. The last AA NF1, used as vehicle-mounted guns, left the Legion in the early 2020s.
- Caliber: 7.62 mm NATO
- Mass (without ammunition): 12 kg / 26 lb
- Length: 1,263 mm / 49.7 in
- Feed system: 50-round belt
- Effective range: 800 m / 875 yd
- Max range: 1,850 m / 2,023 yd
- Rate of fire: 650-1,000 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity: 840 m/s / 2,756 ft/s
SCAR-H PR
SCAR-H PR (FN SCAR – Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) is a gas-operated, highly accurate semi-auto or selective fire precision rifle for designated marksmen and sniper teams. It was developed by Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal (FN) in the 2000s. In the French Army, it had to replace the old FR F2. The Foreign Legion received first SCAR-H PR rifles in 2022.
- Caliber: 7.62 mm
- Mass: 4,500 g / 159 oz
- Length: 1,007-1,0071 mm / 39.6-42.2 in (SCAR-H PR 20 version)
- Feed system: 10- or 20-round magazine
- Effective range: 800 m / 870 yd (SCAR-H PR 20 version)
- Max range: N/A
- Rate of fire: 550–650 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity: 714 m/s / 780 yd/s (SCAR-H PR 20 version)
HK 417 A2
HK 417 A2 (Heckler & Koch HK417 A2) is a designated marksman rifle using the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. The rifle, displayed for the first time in 2013, is made by a German defense manufacturing company. The Foreign Legion marksmen have been using the HK 417 A2 marksman rifle (20-inch version, with the longest barrel) since 2020, to replace the older FR F2. However, the SCAR-H is much more widespread.
- Caliber: 7,62 mm
- Weight: 4740 g / 167 oz (417 A2 20 version)
- Length: 1002-1082 mm / 39.5-42.6 in (417 A2 20 version)
- Feed system: 10- or 20-round magazine
- Effective range: 800 m / 875 yd (417 A2 20 version)
- Max range: N/A
- Rate of fire: 600 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity: 817 m/s / 894 yd/s (417 A2 20 version)
PGM Hécate II
PGM Hécate II is a standard heavy sniper, anti-materiel rifle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Armed Forces units. It was created in 1995 by the French rifle factory PGM Précision. The Foreign Legion has been using the PGM Hécate II since the late 1990s.
- Caliber: 12.7 mm
- Mass (without ammunition): 15.8 kg / 34.8 lb
- Length: 1,370 mm / 53.9 in
- Feed system: 7-round magazine
- Effective range: 1,800 m / 1,969 yd
- Max range: 7,000 m / 7,655 yd
- Muzzle velocity: 780 m/s / 853 yd/s
M2 Browning 12.7
M2 Browning, called simply “12.7” in France for its caliber (12.7 mm or .50 in), is a heavy machine gun used by the French Armed Forces, including the Foreign Legion. It was designed in the United States in the 1920s and produced there and in Belgium since the 1930s. The Foreign Legion received the first 12.7 during WWII, in summer 1943. The gun can be mounted on vehicles.
- Caliber: 12.7 mm
- Mass (without ammunition): 38.1 kg / 84 lb
- Length: 1,650 mm / 65 in
- Feed system: 105-round belt or 100-round / 265-round magazines
- Effective range: 1,200 m / 1,312 yd
- Max range: 6,800 m / 7,400 yd
- Rate of fire: 500 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity: 930 m/s / 1,017 yd/s
LGI F1
LGI Mle F1 (Lance-Grenade Individuel Mle F1 – Individual grenade launcher, F1 Model) is a lightweight, man-portable, close-support infantry weapon. The LGI has been using by the French Army and the Foreign Legion since the late 1990s.
- Caliber: 51 mm
- Mass (without ammunition): 4,800 g / 169.3 oz
- Length: 605 mm / 23.8 in
- Effective range: 675 m / 738 yd
- Rate of fire: 30 rounds/min
Mo 81 LLR F1
Mo 81 LLR F1 (Mortier de 81 mm Léger Long Renforcé modèle F1 – Long Reinforced Lightweight Mortar 81 mm, F1 Model) is a light mortar produced by Thales Group, a French multinational company. The Mo 81 LLR F1 has been using by the French Army, including the Foreign Legion, since the late 1990s, when it replaced the old LC 81 mm mortar. The reinforced barrel allows using of all existing French projectiles of 81 mm.
- Caliber: 81 mm
- Mass (without ammunition): 44 kg / 97 lb
- Length: 1,550 mm / 61 in
- Effective range: 3,100-5,600 m / 3,390-6,124 yd
- Rate of fire: 12-20 rounds/min
AT4 CS
AT4 CS (Anti-Tank 4 Confined Space), and also simply “eighty-four” (A-T-4, for being of 84 mm caliber) is an unguided, portable, single-shot anti-tank weapon (also known as a rocket-propelled grenade, RPG). It was designed in Sweden in 1980. The French Army received the first AT4 in the mid-1980s. In the Foreign Legion, the upgraded CS version finally replaced the older 89 mm LRAC anti-tank gun (in the late 2010s). The AT4 CS will be replaced by AT4 F2 in the nearest future.
- Diameter: 84 mm
- Mass: 7,6 kg / 17 lb
- Length: 1,040 mm / 41 in
- Effective range: 20-200 m (300 m for a fixed object) / 22-219 (328) yd
- Speed: 220 m/s / 241 yd/s
ERYX
ERYX is a short-range portable wire-guided anti-tank missile used by the French Army since the mid-1990s. A French-Canadian project from the late 1980s, it is based on SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight) method of missile guidance. The Eryx is destined mainly for urban warfare, unlike the older MILAN system (the latter dismissed in 2022). The Foreign Legion has been using the ERYX since 1998. The missile is planned to be replaced by AT4 F2 in the nearest future.
- Diameter: 136 mm
- Mass: 13 kg / 28.7l b
- Length: 905 mm / 35.6 in
- Effective range: 600 m / 656 yd
- Speed: 18 m/s / 19.7 yd/s in the beginning, then 245 m/s / 268 yd/s
AKERON MP
AKERON MP (Medium-Range AKERON; formerly Missile Moyenne Portée – Medium-Range Missile, MMP) is a man-portable anti-tank guided missile developed by MBDA, a European multinational developer (French-Italian-British) in the early 2010s. The main task was to modernize the armed forces by replacing the outdated MILAN missile, unsuitable for urban warfare and anti-insurgent operations. The AKERON MP is also well suited for extreme weather (desert and sub-arctic) conditions. The French Army has used it since 2018. The Foreign Legion adopted it in 2019.
- Diameter: 140 mm / 5,5 in
- Mass (launcher): 11 kg / 24 lb
- Mass (launcher and missile): 15 kg / 33 lb
- Length: 1,300 mm / 51,2 in
- Effective range: 4,000 m / 4,374 yd
- Speed: 160-200 m/s
French Foreign Legion Vehicles
HT270
HT270 (also Véhicule Articulé Chenillé – Nouvelle génération – New Generation Tracked Articulated Vehicle, VAC NG) is an all-terrain, amphibious, non-armored carrier used by the Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) and 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG), as well as other 27e BIM Mountain Brigade units. Based on the Swedish Bandvagn 206, produced by BAE Systems AB, it is transformed and upgraded in France by the Technamm company. The vehicle is produced in two variants, destined for either tropical and water areas or high mountains and artic areas. It comprises two units and is able to carry up to 12 personnel (4 + 12). The MAG 58 machine gun could be mounted on it. In 2023, the HT270 replaced the old VAC (BV206) that had been used by legionnaires since the 1990s.
- Length: 6,810 mm / 22.34 ft
- Engine: Mercedes-Benz 2,700 cm3 Turbo Diesel
- Power: 169 hp (126 kW)
- Tracks: Moulded rubber with cord
- Speed: 58 km/h / 36 mph
- Speed in water: N/A km/h / N/A mph
- Operational range: around 300 km / 190 mi
- Crew: 2
- Passengers: 2 + 12
Peugeot P4
Peugeot P4 is an unarmored 4×4 off-road vehicle produced by Peugeot since the early 1980s, and later by the Panhard company. The vehicle replaced the French Army’s Jeep Hotchkiss. The Foreign Legion received the first Peugeot P4 in 1989. In the 2010s started the planned replacement of the aging “P4”. It has been replaced gradually by five different vehicles since then, mainly by VT4 (see below). However, the P4 could be seen in use in the Legion even in 2023.
- Engine: Mercedes-Benz 2,500 cm3 XD3 Diesel I4
- Power: 70 hp (52 kW)
- Suspension: 4×4
- Speed: 120 km/h / 75 mph
- Operational range: 800 km / 500 mi
- Crew: 2
ACMAT VT4
ACMAT VT4 (Véhicule Tactique 4×4, initially called VLTP-NP) is an unarmored light multipurpose tactical vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Armed Forced units. The modified, militarized, air-transportable version of five-door off-road Ford Everest II has been produced by ACMAT, a French company owned by ex-Renault Trucks Defense (now Arguus). The Army ordered the vehicles in late 2016 to replace the aging Peugeot P4. It received the first ACMAT VT4 in late 2018, including those delivered to the Foreign Legion. VT4 is planned to become a principal light off-road vehicle of the French Army in the mid-2020s to be used in non-combat overseas missions (stabilisation and normalisation operations), training and operational preparation maneuvers, and domestic military missions (counter-terrorist Operation Sentinelle in France).
- Length: 5,300 mm / 17.39 ft
- Mass (Min/Max): 2.66 / 4.25 tons
- Engine: Ford 2,200 cm3 Diesel
- Max Power: 160 hp (120 kW)
- Suspension: 4×4
- Speed: 165 km/h / 103 mph
- Operational range: 800 km / 500 mi
- Passengers: 5 (or 4 combatants with full combat gear)
PVP
PVP (Petit Véhicule Protégé – Small protected vehicle) is a light, armored 4×4 vehicle used by the French Armed Forces, including the Foreign Legion. It has been producing by Panhard since 2008. The Foreign Legion got its first PVP in 2012.
- Length: 4,560 mm / 14.96 ft
- Mass: 5.3 tons
- Engine: Iveco 8140 2,800 cm3 Diesel Turbo
- Power: 158 hp (117 kW)
- Suspension: 4×4
- Speed: 90 km/h / 56 mph
- Operational range: 750 km / 466 mi
- Crew: 2
- Passengers: 1 or 2 (command car)
VBL
VBL (Véhicule Blindé Léger – Light armored vehicle) is a wheeled 4×4 all-terrain amphibious vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army units. It has been produced by Panhard since the end of 1980s. Within the Foreign Legion, the VBL has been using by the reconnaissance units of the 1er REC and 2e REI since the early 1990s.
- Engine: Peugeot XD3T Diesel Turbo
- Power: 95 hp (70 kW)
- Suspension: 4×4
- Speed: 95 km/h / 59 mph
- Speed in water: 5,4 km/h / 3,36 mph
- Operational range: 600 km / 373 mi
- Main armament: 1x machine gun 7,62 mm or 1x machine gun 7,62 mm + MILAN
- Crew: 3
VAB
VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé – Armored Frontline Vehicle) is an armored personnel carrier and support vehicle designed to transport infantry troops to the frontline. It was produced by GIAT Industries from 1976, and entered service with the French Army in 1979. The Legion has used VAB since 1981. There also existed a version called HOT, equipped with the MÉPHISTO launcher with four HOT anti-tank guided missiles. Since the 2010s, the aging VAB has been replaced by VBCI and VBMR Griffon vehicles (see below). In the Legion, the carrier has been replaced since 2015. The legionnaires used it even in 2023, however (in the 2e REP, for example).
- Engine: Renault MIDR
- Power: 220 hp (162 kW)
- Suspension: 4×4
- Speed: 90 km/h / 56 mph
- Operational range: 1,200 km / 746 mi
- Main armament: 1x heavy machine gun 12.7 mm or 1x machine gun 7.62mm or 1x machine gun 7.62mm
- Crew: 2
- Passengers: 8
VBMR Griffon
VBMR Griffon (Véhicule blindé multi-rôles – Multi-role armored vehicle) is a new armored personnel carrier and support vehicle used by the French Army and the Foreign Legion. It has to replace the old VAB. The vehicle has been produced as a joint project by Nexter Systems, Thales Group, and Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks) since 2018. The French Army received the first Griffons in 2019, and the Legion in 2021. In 2022 in the 2e REI, VBMR Griffon replaced the VBCI infantry vehicle received in 2015.
- Length: 7,580 mm / 24.87 ft
- Mass: 24.5 tons
- Engine: Renault Diesel
- Power: 400 hp (298 kW)
- Suspension: 6×6
- Speed: 90 km/h / 56 mph
- Operational range: 800 km / 500 mi
- Main armament: 1x 12.7 mm machine gun
- Second armament 01: 1x 7.62 mm machine gun
- Second armament 02: 1x 40 mm grenade launcher
- Crew: 2 (driver and gunner)
- Passengers: 8
EBRC Jaguar
EBRC Jaguar (Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Combat – Armored Reconnaissance and Combat Vehicle) is a six-wheeled armored all terrain vehicle of the new generation used by the Foreign Legion’s 1er REC and other French Army cavalry units. Produced as a joint project by Nexter Systems, Thales Group, and Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks) since the late 2010s, the EBRC Jaguar serves for reconnaissance and as a tank-destroyer. In 2022, the 1er REC became the first operational unit of the French Army to receive it. In France, the Jaguar has to replace the ERC-90 Sagaie (abandoned by the 1er REC in 2018), and the older tank-destroyers AMX 10 RCR (see below).
- Length: 7,100 mm / 23.29 ft
- Mass (min/max): 20 / 25 tons
- Engine: Renault-Volvo Diesel Automatic
- Power: 490 hp (360 kW)
- Suspension: 6×6
- Speed: 90 km/h / 56 mph
- Operational range: 800 km / 500 mi
- Main armament 01: 1x 40 mm gun
- Main armament 02: 1x MMP guided missile launcher
- Second armament: 1x 7.62 mm machine gun
- Crew: 3
AMX 10 RCR
AMX 10 RCR (Rues-Canon, rénové – Wheels-Gun, upgraded) is an armored fighting and reconnaissance vehicle, and heavily armed, wheeled tank destroyer of the French Army. It is used by its cavalry units, including the Foreign Legion’s 1er REC. The RCR is an upgraded version of the older AMX 10 RC that was produced by GIAT Industries at its Ateliers de construction d’Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) factory from the mid-1970s. Within the Foreign Legion, the AMX 10 RC had been used by the 1er REC since 1982. In the 2010s, the regiment was equipped with the modernized, upgraded AMX 10 RCR (rénové, earlier also revalorisé), furnished with various new systems and additional armor, to be able to serve until 2025. They are replaced by the EBRC Jaguar.
- Length: 9,090 mm / 29.53 ft
- Mass (min/max): 17 / 20 tons
- Engine: Baudouin 6F11 SRX Diesel
- Power: 280 hp (209 kW)
- Suspension: 6 hydropneumatic wheels
- Speed: 85 km/h / 53 mph
- Operational range: 800 km / 497mi
- Main armament: 1x 105 mm gun with 38 projectiles
- Second armament: 2x 7.62 mm machine gun
- Crew: 4
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Main image source (apart from those already defined):
Légion étrangère
Main information source:
Ministère des Armées
Wikipedia.org
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The page was updated on: April 03, 2024