Aéronavale French Naval Aviation Founded 1910 Country France Size 209 aircraft Part of French Navy French Naval Aviation of the French Navy includes 206 aircraft and 6 800 men both civilians and military personnel. They operate from six airbases five of them in Metropolitan France and one overseas. Born as a fusion of carrier squadrons and naval patrol air force the Aviation navale was created on the 19 June 1998. The headquarter is under command of an admiral (ALAVIA) in Toulon.