The French had ground and air forces based across Africa in the years leading up to the Twilight War. Most French army units in Africa were Foreign Legion and Marine forces, largely composed of light and motorised infantry equipped with light armoured vehicles, 81mm and 120mm mortars and Milan ATGW. There were also a few armoured cavalry units, field artillery batteries and some helicopters, particularly in Djibouti and the Central African Republic. The relatively light French forces in the region could however be quickly reinforced from France. The French Air Force also had small detachments or combat jets, transports and helicopters located in air bases across Africa, with a full combat jet fighter squadron in Djibouti. In the mid-1980's Chad became a focus of French activity in Africa due to the Libyan invasion of the northern Chad and its support for guerrillas in Africa. French special forces were rumoured to be operating in Chad at this time and there was a powerful Air Force component stationed in the country. French forces in Africa are listed from the NATO Order of Battle 1989/V8.5 and the IISS Military Balance 1990/91 and 1991/92.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (Bagui): (1,200 troops)
Air Force: (100 troops) (2x Jaguar, 1x C-160)
Army: (1,100 troop) (6x AML-90, 17x VAB, 6x 105mm, 1x Cessna O-1E, 3x Puma)
CHAD (Abeche, Moussoro, N'Djamena): (1,100 troop)
Air Force: (200 troops) (6x Mirage F1, 2x C-160, 2x Puma, 4x Crotale SAM)
Army: (900 troops) (4x Hawk SAM)
DJIBOUTI (Djibouti City): (4,000 troops)
Air Force: (500 troops) (10x F-1C, 1x C-160, 3x Alouette III)
Army: (3,500 troops) (24x AMX-10RC, 51x VAB, 12x 155mm, 5x Puma)
GABON (Libreville): (800 troops)
Air Force: (100 troops) (2x Jaguar, 1x C-160, 2x Alouette III)
Army: (650 troops)
Navy: (50 troops) (1x Atlantic)
IVORY COAST (Abidjan): (500 troops)
Army: (500 troops) (1x Ecureuil)
SENEGAL (Dakar): (1,250 troops)
Air Force: (100 troops) (1x C-160, 1x Alouette III)
Army: (1,100 troops)
Navy: (50 troops) (1x Atlantic)
LA REUNION (Mayotte): (4,200 troop)
Air Force: (100 troops) (1x C-160, 2x Alouette III)
Army: (3,200 troops)
Navy: (900 troops) (1x Atlantic)
12x Ships (4x Frigates, 4x Patrol Craft, 1x Amphibious Vessel, 3x Support Vessel)
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