History UsefulNotes / GaulsWithGrenades

Historically, the Legion's promise of a new identity attracted many criminals and other shady elements (including, in the aftermath of WorldWarII, some ''[[UsefulNotes/NaziGermany captured Waffen-SS soldiers]]'' who were given the option to enlist to avoid execution). Today the Legion is considered a highly prestigious elite combat unit, and so there are rigorous background checks, so this isn't necessarily true anymore. While they offer a new identity, you can still be pursued for [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SerialKiller blood]] or [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil "mores"]] crimes.

''[[BadassArmy The Foreign Legion]]''

* Jean Larteguy's novels, ''The Centurions'' and ''The Praetorians'', depict a squad of French paratroops serving in Indochina, Algeria and the Suez Crisis, chronicling their disillusionment with French politicians miring them in unwinnable wars. The main protagonist, Lt. Colonel Raspeguy, is [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed based on]] famous paratroop commander Marcel Bigeard. ''The Centurions'' [[TheFilmOfTheBook became a poorly-reviewed movie]], ''Lost Command'', starring Creator/AnthonyQuinn and Creator/AlainDelon.

* ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}} Codename 47'': 47's "fathers" were all soldiers in the Foreign Legion, with the exception Dr. Ort-Meyer.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record up until the 20th century. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under UsefulNotes/LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria[[note]]sort of : after learning from their Indochinan mistakes in counter-insurgency, they were actually very effective against the FLN, which was crushed at the end of the war. But for that, they had to use [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone unsavoury tactics]], made even worse by the fact that many of the elite troops were former résistants. At the end, the military announced its victory to UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle, but added that if there wasn't a political solution, there would be a new war ten years later. So De Gaulle decided to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere pull back the Army and give Algeria independence]]. Which was followed by massacres between Algerians and against French residents that made the entire war pale in comparison. So pretty much everyone considers it at least a total moral defeat.[[/note]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides the Mongol Empire to have actually captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the only difference being the Russians burned it to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

The AMX-56 Leclerc is France's current main battle tank, made by Nexter of France, formerly GIAT. Developed in 1991, it replaced the AMX 30 from the Cold War. The Leclerc uses non-explosive reactive armor, as opposed to the explosive reactive armor found on most tanks. It carries a 120mm smoothbore cannon that can theoretically fire any NATO standard ammunition, but typically carries French-made ammo. While not having been combat proven yet, it is already well known for having ''excellent'' mobility (its unique armor gives it a weight a full 12 tons lighter than the M1A2 Abrams and 5 tons lighter than the Leopard 2A6, the most advanced iterations of its American and German counterparts, and allows for the best power-to-weight ratio of any main battle tank), but is the most expensive tank manufactured, with each unit costing ''three times as much'' as an [=M1A2=] Abrams.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under UsefulNotes/LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria[[note]]sort of : after learning from their Indochinan mistakes in counter-insurgency, they were actually very effective against the FLN, which was crushed at the end of the war. But for that, they had to use [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone unsavoury tactics]], made even worse by the fact that many of the elite troops were former résistants. At the end, the military announced its victory to UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle, but added that if there wasn't a political solution, there would be a new war ten years later. So De Gaulle decided to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere pull back the Army and give Algeria independence]]. Which was followed by massacres between Algerians and against French residents that made the entire war pale in comparison. So pretty much everyone considers it at least a total moral defeat.[[/note]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides the Mongol Empire to have actually captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the only difference being the Russians burned it to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under UsefulNotes/LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria[[note]]sort of : after learning from their Indochinan mistakes in counter-insurgency, they were actually very effective against the FLN, which was crushed at the end of the war. But for that, they had to use [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone unsavoury tactics]], made even worse by the fact that many of the elite troops were former résistants. At the end, the military announced its victory to UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle, but added that if there wasn't a political solution, there would be a new war ten years later. So De Gaulle decided to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere pull back the Army and give Algeria independence]]. Which was followed by massacres between Algerians and against French residents that made the entire war pale in comparison. So pretty much everyone considers it at least a total moral defeat.[[/note]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria[[note]]sort of : after learning from their Indochinan mistakes in counter-insurgency, they were actually very effective against the FLN, which was crushed at the end of the war. But for that, they had to use [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone unsavoury tactics]], made even worse by the fact that many of the elite troops were former résistants. At the end, the military announced its victory to UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle, but added that if there wasn't a political solution, there would be a new war ten years later. So De Gaulle decided to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere pull back the Army and give Algeria independence]]. Which was followed by massacres between Algerians and against French residents that made the entire war pale in comparison. So pretty much everyone considers it at least a total moral defeat.[[/note]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

* They are featured in a couple of missions in ''Videogame/WorldinConflict''. In the flashback chapter of the main storyline they, along with the Americans and other NATO forces, are attempting to drive back a Soviet invasion of southern France. A French officer, Commandant Sabatier, serves as one of your allies for the first of these missions (his forces are off-screen in the second).

France has a pretty notable military, with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (appropriately named the ''CharlesDeGaulle''). A conventional one was on order, but has since been cancelled due to the ever-present budget limits.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria[[note]]sort of : after learning from their Indochinan mistakes in counter-insurgency, they were actually very effective against the FLN, which was crushed at the end of the war. But for that, they had to use [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone unsavoury tactics]], made even worse by the fact that many of the elite troops were former résistants. At the end, the military announced its victory to CharlesDeGaulle, but added that if there wasn't a political solution, there would be a new war ten years later. So De Gaulle decided to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere pull back the Army and give Algeria independence]]. Which was followed by massacres between Algerians and against French residents that made the entire war pale in comparison. So pretty much everyone considers it at least a total moral defeat.[[/note]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

France has a pretty notable military, with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (appropriately named the ''Charles de Gaulle''). A conventional one was on order, but has since been cancelled due to the ever-present budget limits.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria[[note]]sort of : after learning from their Indochinan mistakes in counter-insurgency, they were actually very effective against the FLN, which was crushed at the end of the war. But for that, they had to use [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone unsavoury tactics]], made even worse by the fact that many of the elite troops were former résistants. At the end, the military announced its victory to De Gaulle, but added that if there wasn't a political solution, there would be a new war ten years later. So De Gaulle decided to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere pull back the Army and give Algeria independence]]. Which was followed by massacres between Algerians and against French residents that made the entire war pale in comparison. So pretty much everyone considers it at least a total moral defeat.[[/note]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

However, despite clever design and great performances during tests for its time, it is also a maintenance hog, and is prone to jam on the field - partially due to some higlhy constraining norms some ObstructiveBureaucrat imposed on its slack.
More recent versions lessened some of its problems, but as it is now definitely showing its age, the French Army is actively searching for a replacement.

France has a pretty notable military, with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (appropriately named the ''Charles de Gaulle''). A conventional one was on order, but has since been cancelled.

Dassault is a world-known military aircraft company. Its most famous product is the Mirage fighter series, sold to quite a few countries worldwide. Oddly, the most notable use of Dassault equipment is when [[UsefulNotes/IsraelisWithInfraredMissiles the IDF]] brought them to bear during the [[UsefulNotes/ArabIsraeliConflict Suez Crisis and Six Day War]].

The AMX-56 Leclerc is France's current main battle tank, made by Nexter of France, formerly GIAT. Developed in 1991, it replaced the AMX 30 from the Cold War. The Leclerc uses non-explosive reactive armor, as opposed to the explosive reactive armor found on most tanks. It carries a 120mm smoothbore cannon that can theoretically fire any NATO standard ammunition, but typically carries French-made ammo. While not having been combat proven yet, it is already well known for having ''excellent'' mobility, but is the most expensive tank manufactured, with each unit costing ''three times as much'' as an [=M1A2=] Abrams.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria[[note]]sort of : after learning from their Indochinan mistakes in counter-insurgency, they were actually very effective against the FLN, which was crushed at the end of the war. But for that, they had to use [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone unsavoury tactics]], made even worse by the fact that many of the elite troops were former résistants. At the end, the military announced its victory to De Gaulle, but added that if there wasn't a political solution, there would be a new war ten years later. So De Gaulle decided to [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere pull back the Army and give Algeria independence]]. Which was followed by massacres between Algerians and against French residents that made the entire war pale in comparaison. So pretty much everyone considers it at least a total moral defeat.[[/note]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

Historically, the Legion's promise of a new identity attracted many criminals and other shady elements. Today the Legion is considered a highly prestigious elite combat unit, and so there are rigorous background checks, so this isn't necessarily true anymore. While they offer a new identity, you can still be pursued for [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SerialKiller blood]] or [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil "mores"]] crimes.

Its latest product is the [[CoolPlane Rafale]], which is ultimately going to [[JackOfAllStats replace seven current aircraft]] types in French service. The most expensive variant of the Rafale comes with a 90 million Euro price tag, which is still only about 2/3 the cost of an American F-22 Raptor or JSF, for a role not dissimilar to the later : an "omnirole" fighter with both air force and naval versions (though without VTOL), able to take nearly any role including SEAD and [[TheUltimateResistance nuclear strikes]]. On the other hand, its approach to stealth is different from the JSF : instead of aiming for [[InvisibilityCloak Very Low Observable]], it is Low Observable but with a few tricks, as being able to fly a few feet above ground[[note]]At cruise speed, no human can react fast enough to pilot it that close to the ground, but it has a special computer system for that, originally made for the [[TheUltimateResistance Mirage 2000N]], which automatically follows the ground either with a short-range radar or databases for more discretion (and risk). Also useful for zero-visibility missions.[[/note]] to hide from long-range radars and distant enemy planes, and a ''very'' advanced ECM suite for short-range threats.

While its reputation in the English-speaking countries is of an overpriced toy, or at best decent but inferior to the Eurofighter, recent years proved this quite false. Battle-proven in Afghanistan, it later illustrated itself in Libya with bombing run deeper in the enemy air defence network than any other NATO plane. It was apparently considered superior to the Eurofighter and the Gripen NG by the Swiss forces, who finally declined it for cost reasons. And French Rafale pilots tend to fare [[http://theaviationist.com/2013/06/19/f-22-shot-down-by-rafale/#.Ump6EhB2Ztg really well]] in inter-army exercises, to the point that the RAF repeated refusal to exercise against them after a particularly [[CurbStompBattle one-sided]] match. Also, it is the first plane to shoot an enemy down from behind with a missile during an exercise, thanks to targeting data from another Rafale.

Another famous piece of French military tech is the Exocet anti-shipping missile, made most famous by the Falklands War. There are air-launched, sub-launched and ship-launched versions, the missiles being widely exported. To give you an idea of its capability, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sheffield_(D80) HMS Sheffield]]'' was sunk by one that failed to explode. And that was despite France giving all the data they had about it to the United Kingdom (and going as far as cancelling third-party deals for fear of the Argentinians getting their hands on more missiles by them).

Then of course, there is the legendary French Resistance and the counterattack under Leclerc (not the tank, the man) to retake France in the Allies Normandy Campaign and its follow-up through Germany ; and the firce combats in North Africa where the [[LesserStar lesser-known]] general Konig, assisted by the British, managed to beat Rommel's Afrika Korps. This is an often forgotten chapter outside France but one they were heavily involved in and just as deserving of credit for as the Americans and British.

Nowadays, while suffering from repeated budget cuts like many European armies since the Cold War ended, it still remains a very competent army. In particular, the recent operation in Mali is widely regarded as an outstanding military success, storming even the Islamist forces even in their mountains and pretty much destroying them before they could be entrenched like they did in Afghanistan.

Another famous piece of French military tech is the Exocet anti-shipping missile, made most famous by the Falklands War. There are air-launched, sub-launched and ship-launched versions, the missiles being widely exported. To give you an idea of its capability, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sheffield_(D80) HMS Sheffield]]'' was sunk by one that failed to explode.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the UsefulNotes/GermanEmpire during UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

Then of course, there is the legendary French Resistance and the counterattack under Leclerc (not the tank, the man) to retake France in the Allies Normandy Campaign. This is an often forgotten chapter outside France but one they were heavily involved in and just as deserving of credit for as the Americans and British.

The current assault rifle of the French military is the FAMAS. Dubbed "the bugle" for a while on account of its appearance, it's a CoolGun and is forever remembered as the weapon of [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]], even though it is known for generally being shite in real life, even going so far as needing its own special type of 5.56 ammunition, because the action destroyed normal 5.56 brass cases and the barrel could not properly stabilize normal 5.56 bullets.

The current assault rifle of the French military is the FAMAS. Dubbed "the bugle" for a while on account of its appearance, it's a CoolGun and is forever remembered as the weapon of [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]], even though it is known for generally being shite in real life, even going so far as needing its own special type of 5.56 ammunition.

The current assault rifle of the French military is the FAMAS. Dubbed "the bugle" for a while on account of its appearance, it's a CoolGun and is forever remembered as the weapon of [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]].

Dassault is a world-known military aircraft company. Its most famous product is the Mirage fighter series, sold to quite a few countries worldwide. Oddly, the most notable use of Dassault equipment is when [[IsraelisWithInfraredMissiles the IDF]] brought them to bear during the [[ArabIsraeliConflict Suez Crisis and Six Day War]].

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the GermanEmpire during WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

* In ''Literature/RedStormRising'', French F-8 Crusaders (retired from US service not too long after [[VietnamWar Vietnam]]) operating from the carrier ''Foch'', thanks to a diversion drawing off US Navy aircraft, are the only naval aircraft to successfully engage Soviet [[ReportingNames Backfires]] that sent a MacrossMissileMassacre at the NATO carrier battlegroup. Unfortunately, the few bombers shot down were only lost after the missiles had hit, which not only severely damaged (possibly destroyed) the ''Foch'', but put a hurt on several US warships, including the carrier USS ''Nimitz'', where one of the main protagonists was located at the time.
* French tank units are involved in the fighting against the [[HordeOfAlienLocusts Posleen]], in Creator/JohnRingo's ''[[Literature/LegacyOfTheAldenata Gust Front]]'', along with [[YanksWithTanks US]] and [[WeAreNotTheWehrmacht German]] tank units, [[HoldTheLine holding the line]] until the [[PoweredArmor ACS]] under "Mighty Mite" can break out and mangle the Posties. The French leadership in general tends to get looked down upon by Ringo in general, but he doesn't carry that over to their armed forces.

* The French government and armed forces appear in several of TheBigOne series books. The portrayal is usually very positive although the Vichy French collaborationist government is depicted as [[TruthInTelevision weak and venal]]. Other than that, the French armed forces are seen as being capable, courageous, magnanimous in victory and going down fighting when faced with defeat. In A Mighty Endeavor, France manages to carry on fighting for ten days after being left in the lurch by the British armistice with Germany. One of the two protagonists in the novella "Eye of the Despoiler" is a French paratrooper who is portrayed as brave, competent and unstintingly loyal to his friends.

The current assault rifle of the French military is the FAMAS. Dubbed "the bugle" for a while on account of its appearance, it's a CoolGun and is forever remembered as the weapon of [[Franchise/MetalGear Solid Snake]].

The AMX-56 Leclerc is France's current main battle tank, made by Nexter of France, formerly GIAT. Developed in 1991, it replaced the AMX 30 from the Cold War. The Leclerc uses non-explosive reactive armor, as opposed to the explosive reactive armor found on most tanks. It carries a 120mm smoothbore cannon that can theoretically fire any NATO standard ammunition, but typically carries French-made ammo. While not having been combat proven yet, it is already well known for having ''excellent'' mobility, but is the most expensive tank manufactured, with each unit costing ''three times as much'' as an M1A2 Abrams.

The AMX-56 Leclerc is France's current main battle tank, made by Nexter of France, formerly GIAT. Developed in 1991, it replaced the AMX 30 from the Cold War. The Leclerc uses non-explosive reactive armor, as opposed to the explosive reactive armor found on most tanks. It carries a 120mm smoothbore cannon that can theoretically fire any NATO standard ammunition, but typically carries French-made ammo. While not having been combat proven yet, it is already well known for having ''excellent'' mobility.

Despite the CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys stereotype, France actually has a pretty good war record. Whether ultimately winning the HundredYearsWar against England, fighting and winning against large coalitions under LouisXIV, providing naval aid and essential supplies to the colonial forces during the AmericanRevolution, defeating the rest of Europe in the French Revolutionary Wars, nearly ''conquering'' the rest of the continent in the Napoleonic Wars, or fighting toe to toe with the GermanEmpire during WorldWarI, France has a remarkable military history that's only taken a beating due to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 (or so), their thrashing from the British in the Napoleonic Era, WorldWarII and subsequent colonial defeats at the hands of countries like Algeria and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina Indochina]] (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). It should be noted that France is the only other country besides Germany, Poland-Lithuania and the Mongol Empire to have gotten close to or captured Moscow in an invasion of Russia; the difference being that they lost because the Russians burned Moscow to the ground rather than let the French take it. In the First World War, 1.5 million young French men were killed in battle. The Battle of France wasn't lost because of any lack of badass on the part of the French and British. It was lost due to serious strategic blunders on the part of the French generals.

''[[BadassArmy The Foreign Legion]]''//

* The French government and armed forces appear in several of Literature/TheBigOne series books. The portrayal is usually very positive although the Vichy French collaborationist government is depicted as [[TruthInTelevision weak and venal]]. Other than that, the French armed forces are seen as being capable, courageous, magnanimous in victory and going down fighting when faced with defeat. In A Mighty Endeavor, France manages to carry on fighting for ten days after being left in the lurch by the British armistice with Germany. One of the two protagonists in the novella "Eye of the Despoiler" is a French paratrooper who is portrayed as brave, competent and unstintingly loyal to his friends.