139-1757: [REDACTED] (Top) A French Dassault Rafale of squadron 2/92 "Aquitaine" refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Africa on 17 March 2013. Malian/French victory [REDACTED] France [REDACTED] Mali [REDACTED] Chad [REDACTED] Nigeria [REDACTED] Burkina Faso [REDACTED] Senegal [REDACTED] Togo [REDACTED] MNLA (latter part of conflict) AFISMA Supported by: [REDACTED] Belgium [REDACTED] Canada [REDACTED] Denmark [REDACTED] Germany [REDACTED] Netherlands [REDACTED] Spain [REDACTED] Sweden [REDACTED] Poland [REDACTED] Australia [REDACTED] United Arab Emirates [REDACTED] United Kingdom [REDACTED] Islamic militants [REDACTED] François Hollande [REDACTED] ADM. Édouard Guillaud [REDACTED] Dioncounda Traoré (until 4 Sept. 2013) [REDACTED] Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (from 4 Sept. 2013) [REDACTED] Mahamat Déby Itno 4,000 French troops deployed (5,100 involved in total), Elements of: [REDACTED] 9 killed 1 Gazelle helicopter lost [REDACTED] 82 killed [REDACTED] 38 killed [REDACTED] 17 killed, 60 wounded [REDACTED] 2 killed [REDACTED] 1 killed [REDACTED] 1 killed Tuareg rebellion (2012) : 2012 coup Internal conflict in Azawad : Foreign intervention : 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Operation Serval ( French : Opération Serval )
278-403: A hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS)-compatible configuration, with a right-handed side-stick controller and a left-handed throttle. The seat is inclined rearwards at an angle of 29° to improve g-force tolerance during manoeuvring and to provide a less restricted external pilot view. Great emphasis has been placed on pilot workload minimisation across all operations. Among the features of
417-469: A "martyr" but did not say when he was killed. Mokhtar Belmokhtar was also known by the following names: Abu Khaled, Bal'ur, al-Aouer, Khalid Abu al-Abbas, The One-Eyed, The Prince, Laaouar, The Uncatchable, Mr. Marlboro, and MBM. "Abu Khaled" is the nom de guerre used by AQIM. Belmokhtar was nicknamed "one-eyed" in reference to his missing eye and "Mr. Marlboro" due to his running a massive Marlboro cigarette -smuggling operation. Previously, Belmokhtar
556-583: A built-in ladder, carrier-based microwave landing system , and the new fin-tip Telemir system for syncing the inertial navigation system to external equipment. Altogether, the naval modifications of the Rafale M increase its weight by 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) compared to other variants. The Rafale M retains about 95 percent commonality with Air Force variants including, although unusual for carrier-based aircraft, being unable to fold its multi-spar wings to reduce storage space. The size constraints were offset by
695-446: A central collimated display. These displays have been strategically placed to minimise pilot distraction from the external environment. Some displays feature a touch interface for ease of human–computer interaction (HCI). A head-mounted display (HMD) remains to be integrated to take full advantage of its MICA missiles. The cockpit is fully compatible with night vision goggles (NVG). The primary flight controls are arranged in
834-421: A common request for proposal. In 1975, the country's Ministry of Aviation initiated studies for a new aircraft to complement the upcoming and smaller Dassault Mirage 2000 , with each aircraft optimized for differing roles. The Rafale aircraft development programme was the end product of efforts by various European countries for a common fighter aircraft. In 1979, Dassault-Breguet (later Dassault Aviation) joined
973-598: A company of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment arrived in Bamako to provide security for the allied airhead . Ground operations are commanded by Brigadier General Bernard Barrera , commanding officer of the 3rd Mechanized Brigade . The following units of the French Army were involved in Mali during the first period of operation: At the end of May 2013, the French Army began to draw down its forces in Mali. For further combat operations,
1112-485: A company of the 92nd Infantry Regiment, equipped with VBCI Infantry fighting vehicles , has been sent to Mali. An additional three companies equipped with VBCI and one squadron equipped with Leclerc main battle tanks could be sent on short notice if required. An armored company of the Marine Infantry Tank Regiment is being deployed to Mali as are CAESAR self-propelled howitzers . On 21 January,
1251-505: A few days earlier. French airstrikes appeared to stop the rebel advance to the south which prompted the intervention and destroyed an Ansar Dine command post near Konna. France asked the U.S. to speed up its contribution by sending drones to improve surveillance over the vast area of northern Mali. The Pentagon was reported to have studied the French request. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of
1390-452: A fuel depot and a customs house being used as a headquarters by the Islamist rebels. Dozens of Islamist fighters were killed. A Malian security source put the number of dead fighters at 60. On 15 January, the French defense minister confirmed that the Mali military had still not recaptured Konna from rebel forces, despite earlier claims that they did. On 15 January, French special forces entered
1529-501: A joint venture between Thales and MBDA . Various methods of detection, jamming , and decoying have been incorporated, and the system has been designed to be highly reprogrammable for addressing new threats and incorporating additional sub-systems in the future. Operations over Libya were greatly assisted by SPECTRA, allowing Rafales to perform missions independently from the support of dedicated Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) platforms. The Rafale's ground attack capability
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#17328491234281668-400: A lead role, with the commensurate technical and industrial primacy, whereas the other countries were accepting of a more egalitarian programme structure. There was little common ground between France and the other members of this project, but by 1983, the five countries had agreed on a European Staff Target for a future fighter. Nevertheless, differences persisted, and so France withdrew from
1807-475: A military base 150 miles away in Agadez . On 14 June 2015, Libya's government announced that Belmokhtar was killed in a U.S. airstrike inside Libya. U.S. officials confirmed the airstrike and that Belmokhtar was a target, but were unable to confirm that Belmokhtar was killed. In November 2016, Belmokhtar was targeted again in a French airstrike, conducted by French aircraft in southern Libya, based on intelligence from
1946-695: A mixed combat group named GTIA Désert (Groupement tactique interarmes Désert) was activated in Gao, on 20 May 2013. Only this combat group will remain in the area for further combat operations and to support the MISMA , MINUSMA and EUTM Mali missions, as well as the Malian Army . The GTIA Désert is composed of the following units: The French Navy deployed five Breguet Atlantic long-range reconnaissance aircraft operating from Dakar in Senegal and transported two companies of
2085-639: A month of shore based training at Naval Air Station Oceana . In April 2005, the Air Force received its first three F2 standard Rafale Bs at the Centre d'Expériences Aériennes Militaires (CEAM, i.e. the Military Air Experiment Centre) at Mont-de-Marsan , where they were tasked to undertake operational evaluation and pilot conversion training. By this time, it was expected that Escadron de Chasse (Fighter Squadron) 1/7 at Saint-Dizier would receive
2224-569: A new organization was classified as a terrorist group. Belmokhtar formed and commanded his own jihadist group, the Islamist al-Mulathameen (Masked) Brigade, or al-Mua'qi'oon Biddam (Those who Sign with Blood) Brigade. Like Wadoud, he continues to pledge allegiance to and take direction from al-Qaeda emir Ayman al-Zawahiri . His group allied with another Al Qaeda splinter group, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa . By mid-January 2013,
2363-448: A non-polluting combustion chamber, single-crystal turbine blades, powder metallurgy disks, and technology to reduce radar and infrared signatures. The M88 enables the Rafale to supercruise while carrying four missiles and one drop tank. Qualification of the M88-2 engine ended in 1996 and the first production engine was delivered by the end of the year. Due to delays in engine production,
2502-554: A nucleus of 8–10 Rafale F2s during the summer of 2006, in preparation for full operational service (with robust air-to-air and stand off air-to-ground precision attack capabilities) starting from mid-2007 (when EC 1/7 would have about 20 aircraft, 15 two-seaters and five single-seaters). Mokhtar Belmokhtar Mokhtar Belmokhtar ( / ˈ m ɒ k t ɑːr b ɛ l ˈ m ɒ k t ɑːr / ; Arabic : مختار بلمختار ; 1 June 1972 – November 2016), also known as Khalid Abu al-Abbas , The One-Eyed , Nelson , and The Uncatchable ,
2641-527: A platform for testing of weapons and fire-control systems, including the RBE2 radar and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite. The first of two Rafale M ( maritime , "naval") prototypes, M01, made its maiden flight on 12 December 1991, followed by the second on 8 November 1993. These aircraft differed from the air force variants in having reinforced structure to allow the aircraft to operate aboard ships, and provision for
2780-480: A position some one-hundred kilometers south of the Malian border. On 25 January, it was reported that a combined force of French and Malian troops captured the town of Hombori, about 100 miles south of Gao . French forces also bombed Islamist troops and their supply stores around Gao. This resulted in the destruction of two Islamist bases with fuel stocks and weapon dumps. On the morning 26 January, French forces captured
2919-486: A single spectacular operation, despite the resources at his disposal". The letter describes a delegation sent to contact Belmokhtar that spent three years lost in the desert and then disintegrated without having reached him. It criticizes his plan to resign and start a separate organization taking orders from al-Qaida central headquarters not AQIM. Your letter ... contained some amount of backbiting, name-calling and sneering, ... We refrained from wading into this battle in
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#17328491234283058-563: A tail hook and an in-built ladder, which increased the weight of the Rafale M by 500 kg (1,100 lb) over other production variants. Since France has no land-based catapult test facility, catapult trials were carried out in mid-1992 and early 1993 at the United States Navy facility at NAS Lakehurst , New Jersey . The aircraft then carried out shipboard trials aboard Foch in April 1993. The aircraft conducted landings and launches from
3197-567: Is capable of withstanding from −3.6 g to 9 g (10.5 g on Rafale solo display and a maximum of 11 g can be reached in case of emergency ). The Rafale is an aerodynamically unstable aircraft and uses digital fly-by-wire flight controls to artificially enforce and maintain stability. The aircraft's canards also act to reduce the minimum landing speed to 115 knots (213 km/h; 132 mph); while in flight, airspeeds as low as 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) have been observed during training missions. According to simulations by Dassault,
3336-535: Is deliberately not employed for safety-critical elements of the aircraft's operation, such as the final release of weapons. In the area of life support , the Rafale is fitted with a Martin-Baker Mark 16F "zero-zero" ejection seat , capable of operation at zero speed and zero altitude. An on-board oxygen generating system , developed by Air Liquide , eliminates the need to carry bulky oxygen canisters. The Rafale's flight computer has been programmed to counteract pilot disorientation and to employ automatic recovery of
3475-413: Is heavily reliant upon sensory targeting pods, such as Thales Optronics 's Reco New Generation/Areos reconnaissance pod and Damocles electro-optical/laser designation pod . Together, these systems provide targeting information, enable tactical reconnaissance missions, and are integrated with the Rafale's IMA architecture to provide analysed data feeds to friendly units and ground stations, as well as to
3614-456: Is inconceivable that we should not be able to build the weapons necessary for our independence". France had earlier entered unsuccessful talks with Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, about the possible collaboration on the project. To meet the various roles expected of the new aircraft, the Air Force required two variants: the single-seat Rafale C ( chasseur , meaning "fighter") and
3753-540: Is intended to perform air supremacy , interdiction , aerial reconnaissance , ground support , in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. It is referred to as an "omnirole" 4.5th generation aircraft by Dassault. In the late 1970s, the French Air Force and French Navy sought to replace and consolidate their existing fleets of aircraft. In order to reduce development costs and boost prospective sales, France entered into an arrangement with
3892-403: Is no known confirmation that Mokhtar Belmokhtar was killed. U.S. officials confirmed the strike and that Belmokhtar was a target, but did not immediately confirm that Belmokhtar was killed. Libya Herald reported that seven leading members of Libya's Ansar Al-Sharia , including Belmokhtar, were killed in the airstrike outside Ajdabiya . Ansar al-Sharia named seven people it said were killed in
4031-948: Is right? AP states the letter, which was found "inside a building formerly occupied" by Belmokhtar fighters in Mali, has been authenticated by three different counterterrorism experts. In 2003, the United Nations designated Belmokhtar as an al Qaeda -affiliated terrorist and the US Treasury Department listed him as a financier of a terrorist organization. In 2004, an Algerian court sentenced him in absentia to lifetime imprisonment for forming "terrorist" groups, robbery, detention, and use of illegal weapons. In 2007, another Algerian court sentenced him to death for forming terrorist groups, carrying out armed attacks, kidnapping foreigners, and importing and trafficking in illegal weapons. In 2008, an Algerian court convicted and sentenced him to death for murdering 13 customs officers . In 2013,
4170-423: Is typically outfitted with 14 hardpoints (only 13 on Rafale M version), five of which are suitable for heavy armament or equipment such as auxiliary fuel tanks, and has a maximum external load capacity of nine tons. In addition to the above equipment, the Rafale carries the 30 mm GIAT 30 revolver cannon and can be outfitted with a range of laser-guided bombs and ground-attack munitions. According to Dassault,
4309-611: The Al-Mulathameen ("Masked") Brigade (also known as the al-Mua'qi'oon Biddam ("Those who Sign with Blood" Brigade). In January 2013, the Brigade took more than 800 people hostage at the Tigantourine gas facility in Algeria. 39 hostages were executed and one Algerian killed before the facility was recaptured by Algerian forces, who killed 29 members of the Brigade. The Brigade was listed by
Operation Serval - Misplaced Pages Continue
4448-665: The mujahadeen against the pro-Soviet government following the withdrawal of Soviet Union troops. There, he lost his left eye while mishandling explosives. He later joined the Islamist GIA fighting in the Algerian Civil War and following that became a commander in the Mali -based Islamist Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). In December 2012, Belmokhtar announced he was leaving AQIM and headed his own organization, dubbed
4587-597: The Al Mourabitoun group. In May 2015, a portion of the group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); however, Belmokhtar, who had repeatedly pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri , issued a statement rejecting this change of allegiance. On 20 November 2015, France named him likely responsible for the 2015 Bamako hotel attack . On 2 March 2013, Chadian state television and
4726-515: The Chadian Army reported that Belmokhtar had been killed in a raid by Chadian troops against a terrorist base in the Adrar de Ifhogas mountains in north Mali. The report was not confirmed by other sources. It was refuted by Al Qaeda members on 4 March 2013. A spokesman for Belmokhtar's unit also denied he was killed. On 14 April, Chadian president Idriss Déby Itno restated his previous claim that
4865-587: The Gulf of Oman , where its complement of Rafales undertook training operations. In June 2002, while Charles de Gaulle was in the Arabian Sea, Rafales conducted several patrols near the India-Pakistan border. In 2016, Rafales operating from Charles de Gaulle struck targets associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (IS). In December 2015, American and French military officials reportedly discussed
5004-729: The Libyan Civil War , Tuareg tribesmen of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) began a rebellion against Mali's central government. In April, the MNLA said it had accomplished its goals and called off its offensive against the government, proclaiming the independence of Azawad . In June 2012, the MNLA came into conflict with the Islamist groups Ansar Dine and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MOJWA), after
5143-500: The MBB / BAe "European Collaborative Fighter" project which was renamed the "European Combat Aircraft" (ECA). The company contributed the aerodynamic layout of a prospective twin-engine, single-seat fighter; however, the project collapsed in 1981 due to differing operational requirements of each partner country. In 1983, the "Future European Fighter Aircraft" (FEFA) programme was initiated, bringing together France, Italy, Spain, West Germany and
5282-576: The MICA at beyond visual range distances; it can also be used for detecting and identifying airborne targets, as well as those on the ground and at sea. Dassault describes the OSF as being immune to jamming and capable of providing covert long-range surveillance. In 2012, an improved version of the OSF was deployed operationally. Initial deliveries of the Rafale M were to the F1 ("France 1") standard, which were equipped for
5421-529: The Sahara Desert . In 2003, the U.S. military had Belmokhtar under surveillance in the desert in northern Mali. Military commanders suggested launching a missile airstrike against him. But Vicki Huddleston , the U.S. Ambassador to Mali at the time, vetoed the operation, arguing that Belmokhtar was not important enough to risk the possible repercussions. General Charles Wald wanted to provide information to Algeria and Mali so they could act on their own, but
5560-571: The Saint-Dizier Airbase in France to attack targets in the city of Gao . The Rafale planes then proceeded to N'Djamena and would remain based there for the duration of the conflict. By 16 January, the French Air Force dispatched two additional KC-135 Stratotanker planes and two Harfang UAVs from the 1/33 Belfort Reconnaissance Squadron to N'Djamena. To transport Army troops to Bamako,
5699-571: The emir Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud (a.k.a. Abdelmalek Droukdel). He was appointed as a commander of his own brigade of AQIM. Belmokhtar's unit was particularly effective in Mauritania , where it was responsible for several armed attacks and kidnappings (See 2007 killing of French tourists in Mauritania ). In 2008, his men kidnapped the Canadian diplomats Robert Fowler and Louis Guay, who were working for
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5838-680: The mujahadeen against the Afghan Communist government in the Civil War in Afghanistan . He trained in al-Qaeda 's Afghan camps at Khalden and Jalalabad . Belmokhtar lost his left eye in the 1990s while mishandling explosives. He wore a false eye in its place after that. He returned in 1993 to his native Algeria. There, he joined the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria (GIA), an extremist Islamist organisation dedicated to overthrowing
5977-403: The "Malian army and the French control Gao today". Dassault Rafale The Dassault Rafale ( French pronunciation: [ʁafal] , literally meaning "gust of wind", or "burst of fire" in a more military sense) is a French twin-engine , canard delta wing , multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation . Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale
6116-485: The 2/33 Savoie Reconnaissance Squadron and six Mirage 2000D fighter jets, which were already part of the French military Opération Épervier in Chad . Additionally, the Air Force deployed three KC-135 Stratotanker planes, as well as one C-130 Hercules and one Transall C-160 transport planes from the French airbase in N'Djamena . On 13 January, four Rafale fighter jets of the 1/7 Provence Fighter Squadron flew from
6255-469: The 3/61 Poitou Transport Squadron flew reinforcements to the airport of Gao . French Army forces deployed included one company of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment , an Armored Cavalry platoon of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment and one company of the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment . On 14 January, the French Army Light Aviation transported Eurocopter Tiger HAP attack helicopters from
6394-571: The 5 Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat to Mali. A company from the 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment and soldiers from the 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment and the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment , which are all currently deployed as part of Opération Licorne in Ivory Coast , left Abidjan in a convoy of 60 vehicles for the Malian capital of Bamako . The Commander of the French Land Forces, General Bertrand Clément-Bollée, announced that
6533-494: The 92nd Infantry Regiment along with their equipment and military materiel on the Mistral -class amphibious assault ship Dixmude from Toulon to Dakar in Senegal . Dixmude was escorted on her journey by the D'Estienne d'Orves -class corvette Lieutenant de vaisseau Le Hénaff . The French National Gendarmerie deployed two platoons of gendarmes to Mali in the military police role: DGSE Service Action These are
6672-477: The AM39 Exocet sea skimming missile, while reconnaissance flights would use a combination of onboard and external pod-based sensor equipment. Furthermore, the aircraft could conduct nuclear strikes when armed with ASMP-A missiles. In 2010, France ordered 200 MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles which greatly increases the distance at which the Rafale can engage aerial targets. The F4 standard program
6811-545: The Air Force used the Airbus A310 and A340 of the 3/60 Estérel Transport Squadron. On 23 January, a detachment of Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air was deployed to the airport in Bamako to provide security for the French Air Force assets stationed there and to execute combat search and rescue missions if necessary. Along with the Fusiliers, the Air Force deployed two Puma helicopters of the 1/67 Pyrénées Helicopter Squadron in
6950-522: The Algerian government and replacing it with an Islamic state . He fought in the long and bloody Algerian Civil War to overthrow the Algerian government. The GIA massacred civilians, sometimes wiping out entire villages. Belmokhtar's fierce reputation earned him prestige with the GIA, and he quickly rose to the rank of commander. However, as the GIA began to splinter and fall apart in the late 1990s, Belmokhtar left
7089-562: The Areos reconnaissance pod, and it has been reported that all aircraft built to the earlier F1 and F2 standards are to be upgraded to become F3s. F3 standard Rafales are capable of undertaking many different mission roles with a range of equipment, namely air defence/superiority missions with Mica IR and EM air-to-air missiles, and precision ground attacks typically using SCALP EG cruise missiles and AASM Hammer air-to-surface missiles. In addition, anti-shipping missions could be carried out using
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#17328491234287228-1012: The French Navy. It has been marketed for export to several countries, and was selected for purchase by the Egyptian Air Force , the Indian Air Force , the Indian Navy , the Qatar Air Force , the Hellenic Air Force , the Croatian Air Force , the Indonesian Air Force , the United Arab Emirates Air Force and the Serbian Air Force . The Rafale is considered one of the most advanced and capable warplanes in
7367-668: The French government ordered an additional 60 aircraft to take the total order for the French Air Force and Navy to 180. The Rafale is manufactured almost entirely in France, except for some imported non-sensitive components. Different components are produced in various plants across the country, including the fuselage in Paris, wings in Martignas, and fins in Biarritz, with final assembly taking place in Merignac near Bordeaux. Dassault carries out 60% of
7506-465: The IMA greatly assists combat operations via data fusion, the continuous integration and analysis of the various sensor systems throughout the aircraft, and has been designed for the incorporation of new systems and avionics throughout the Rafale's service life. The Rafale features an integrated defensive-aids system named SPECTRA , which protects the aircraft against airborne and ground threats, developed as
7645-707: The Islamists began imposing Sharia in Azawad. By 17 July, MOJWA and Ansar Dine had pushed the MNLA out of all the major cities. On 1 September 2012, the town of Douentza in the Mopti Region , until then controlled by the Ganda Iso militia, was taken by the MOJWA, and on 28 November 2012, the MNLA was pushed out of Léré , Timbuktu Region , by Ansar Dine. Initially, the French Air Force deployed two Mirage F1 CR Reconnaissance from
7784-543: The Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada. The kidnappings are believed to have netted him what the US State Department estimated as $ 50 million in ransoms for the Europeans. The global intelligence company Stratfor reported that Belmokhtar commanded an estimated $ 3 million per European captive. In 2003, for example, he is believed to have received $ 6.5 million in ransom money for the return of 32 tourists taken captive in
7923-672: The Rafale A demonstrator was initially powered by the General Electric F404 engine. In May 2010, a Rafale flew for the first time with the M88-4E engine, an upgraded variant with lower maintenance requirements than the preceding M88-2. The engine is of a modular design for ease of construction and maintenance and to enable older engines to be retrofitted with improved subsections upon availability, such as existing M88-2s being upgraded to M88-4E standard. There has been interest in more powerful M88 engines by potential export customers, such as
8062-475: The Rafale A demonstrator. Although superficially similar to the heavier test vehicle, the aircraft was smaller, with a length of 15.3 m (50 ft) and a wingspan of 10.9 m (36 ft). It was less detectable by radar due to the canopy being gold-plated and the addition of radar-absorbent materials; Dassault had also removed the dedicated airbrake. The sole Rafale B two-seat preproduction aircraft, B01, made its first flight on 30 April 1993, and served as
8201-459: The Rafale B ( biplace , "two-seater"). Its first flight on 19 May 1991 occurred at the company's test facility in Istres. This signalled the start of a test programme which primarily aimed to test the M88-2 engines, man-machine interface and weapons, and expand the flight envelope . Due to budgetary constraints, the second single-seat prototype was never built. The aircraft differed significantly from
8340-453: The Rafale M was declared operational with the French Navy in June 2004. The Rafale M is fully compatible with United States Navy aircraft carriers and some French Navy pilots have qualified to fly the aircraft from US Navy flight decks. On 4 June 2010, during an exercise on USS Harry S. Truman , a French Rafale became the first jet fighter of a foreign navy to have its engine replaced on board an American aircraft carrier. In 2002,
8479-456: The Rafale after it was officially re-activated prior to the delivery of the sixth Rafale. Flottille 12F immediately participated in Trident d'Or aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle with warships from ten other nations. During the maritime exercise , the Navy tested the Rafale's avionics during simulated interceptions with various foreign aircraft, in addition to carrier take-offs and landings. After almost four years of training,
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#17328491234288618-416: The Rafale has sufficient low speed performance to operate from STOBAR -configured aircraft carriers, and can take off using a ski-jump with no modifications. The Rafale M features a greatly reinforced undercarriage to cope with the additional stresses of naval landings, an arrestor hook , and "jump strut" nosewheel, which only extends during short takeoffs, including catapult launches. It also features
8757-447: The Rafale programme. Originally scheduled to enter service in 1996, the Rafale suffered significant delays due to post- Cold War budget cuts and changes in priorities. There are three main variants: Rafale C single-seat land-based version, Rafale B twin-seat land-based version, and Rafale M single-seat carrier-based version. Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in
8896-437: The Rafale to launch miniaturised satellites . In January 2014, the defence ministry announced that funds had been allocated towards the development of the F3R standard. The standard includes the integration of the Meteor BVR missile, among other weapons and software updates. The standard was validated in 2018. Development work started on the F4 standard in 2019. The design received radar and sensor upgrades that facilitate
9035-441: The Rafale's airframe , avionics , propulsion system and armament , the resultant aircraft was to replace a multitude of aircraft in the French Armed Forces . The Rafale would perform roles previously filled by an assortment of specialised platforms, including the Jaguar , Mirage F1C/CR/CT , Mirage 2000C/-5/ N in the French Air Force, and the F-8P Crusader , Étendard IVP/M and Super Étendard in French Naval Aviation. At
9174-499: The Rafale's onboard mission systems enable ground attack and air-to-air combat operations to be carried out within a single sortie, with many functions capable of simultaneous execution in conjunction with another, increasing survivability and versatility. The Rafale is fitted with two Snecma M88 engines, each capable of providing up to 50 kilonewtons (11,000 pounds-force) of dry thrust and 75 kN (17,000 lb f ) with afterburners. The engines feature several advances, including
9313-541: The Rafale's unit cost had significantly increased due to additional development work to improve the RBE2's detection range. The RBE2 AA active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar now replaces the previous passively scanned RBE2. The RBE2 AA is reported to deliver a greater detection range of 200 km, improved reliability and reduced maintenance demands over the preceding radar. A Rafale demonstrator began test flights in 2002 and has totaled 100 flight hours as of December 2011 . By December 2009, production of
9452-483: The Rafale's visibility to threats remain classified. The Rafale's glass cockpit was designed around the principle of data fusion —a central computer selects and prioritises information to display to pilots for simpler command and control. For displaying information gathered from a range of sensors across the aircraft, the cockpit features a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD) system, two head-down flat-panel colour multi-function displays (MFDs) as well as
9591-503: The Rafale, and provides a significantly improved reconnaissance capability over preceding platforms. Areos has been designed to perform reconnaissance under various mission profiles and condition, using multiple day/night sensors and its own independent communications datalinks. The Rafale was first outfitted with the Thales RBE2 passive electronically scanned multi-mode radar . Thales claims to have achieved increased levels of situational awareness as compared to earlier aircraft through
9730-408: The Rafales were first deployed to a combat zone; seven Rafale Ms embarked aboard Charles de Gaulle of the French Navy during " Mission Héraclès ", the French participation in " Operation Enduring Freedom ". They flew from the aircraft carrier over Afghanistan, but the F1 standard precluded air-to-ground missions and the Rafale did not see any action. In March 2002, the aircraft carrier was stationed in
9869-426: The Sniper and LITENING pods; so work began on an upgraded pod, designated Damocles XF, with additional sensors and added ability to transmit live video feeds. A new Thales targeting pod, the Talios, was officially unveiled at the 2014 Farnborough Air Show and is expected to be integrated on the Rafale by 2018. Thales' Areos reconnaissance pod is an all-weather, night-and-day-capable reconnaissance system employed on
10008-572: The UK, Germany, Italy and Spain to produce an agile multi-purpose "Future European Fighter Aircraft" (which would become the Eurofighter Typhoon ). Subsequent disagreements over workshare and differing requirements led France to pursue its own development programme. Dassault built a technology demonstrator that first flew in July 1986 as part of an eight-year flight-test programme, paving the way for approval of
10147-629: The US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in December 2013. On 2 March 2013, the Chadian state television and the Chadian Army reported that Belmokhtar had been killed in a raid by Chadian troops against a terrorist base in Mali. However, two months later, Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for two suicide truck bomb attacks – on a French -owned uranium mine in Arlit , Niger , and
10286-605: The United Arab Emirates (UAE). As of 2007 , a thrust vectoring variant of the engine designated as M88-3D was also under development. In December 2000, the French Naval Aviation ( Aéronavale ), the air arm of the French Navy, received its first two Rafale M fighters. On 18 May the following year, the squadron Flottille 12F , which had previously operated the F-8 Crusader , became the first squadron to operate
10425-501: The United Kingdom announced that his country would lend logistical support to the operation. ECOWAS troops preparing to deploy to Mali also decided to move up their arrival date to 14 January at the latest. According to Human Rights Watch , 10 civilians were killed when Malian forces fought to recapture Konna. On 13 January, French planes bombed rebels' positions in Gao . Air strikes hit
10564-464: The United Kingdom to jointly develop a new fighter, although the latter three had their own aircraft developments. French officials envisioned a lightweight, multirole aircraft that—in addition to fulfilling both air force and naval roles —it was believed, would be attractive on the export fighter market. This was in contrast to the British requirement for a heavy long-range interceptor. France also demanded
10703-451: The United Nations, and held them for 130 days. In 2011, his men attempted to assassinate the Israeli ambassador in Mauritania, engaging in a drive by shooting of the Israeli embassy and shooting a nightclub that Belmokhtar claimed the ambassador had been in moments earlier. AQIM is thought to be the wealthiest al-Qaeda branch, after having gained ransoms of tens of millions of dollars for
10842-566: The United States. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed years later on their website that Belmokhtar was indeed killed in 2016. Mokhtar Belmokhtar was born in Ghardaïa , Algeria , on 1 June 1972 to a father named "Mohamed" and a mother named "Zohra Chemkha". He married four local Berber and Tuareg women from prominent families in northern Mali, cementing his ties in
10981-502: The air-to-air interceptor combat duties, but lacked any armament for air-to-ground operations. The F1 standard became operational in 2004. Later deliveries were to the "F2" standard, which added the capability for conducting air-to-ground operations; the first F2 standard Rafale M was delivered to the French Navy in May 2006. Starting in 2008 onwards, Rafale deliveries have been to the nuclear-capable F3 standard that also added reconnaissance with
11120-480: The aircraft during negative flight conditions. The auto-pilot and autothrottle controls are also integrated, and are activated by switches located on the primary flight controls. An intelligent flight suit worn by the pilot is automatically controlled by the aircraft to counteract in response to calculated g-forces. The Rafale core avionics systems employ an integrated modular avionics (IMA), called MDPU (modular data processing unit). This architecture hosts all
11259-417: The aircraft had been flown by Air Force, Navy and CEV test pilots. Its port-side F404 engine was replaced with the 72.9 kN (16,400 lbf) M88 in early 1990, and the aircraft flew under the updated powerplant configuration in May 1990. The aircraft thereafter attained a speed of Mach 1.4 without the use of engine reheat , thereby demonstrating supercruise. The Rafale A was used until January 1994, and
11398-524: The aircraft had two 68.8 kN (15,500 lbf) General Electric F404 engines that were then in service with the F/A-18 Hornet, pending the availability of the Snecma M88 turbofan engines . It was rolled out in December 1985 at Saint-Cloud , and on 4 July 1986, made its first flight from the company's Istres test facility in southern France, piloted by Guy Mitaux-Maurouard. During the one-hour flight,
11537-463: The aircraft reached an altitude of 11,000 m (36,000 ft) and a speed of Mach 1.3. The aircraft participated in the Farnborough air show the following month. The aircraft participated in an intensive flight test programme that saw it simulate air force and naval operations. The test vehicle flew approaches to the carrier Clemenceau , and also tested for coordination with Foch . By 1987,
11676-459: The aircraft's sensors and avionics, and to allow additional armament integration. In 2011, upgrades under consideration included a software radio and satellite link, a new laser-targeting pod, smaller bombs and enhancements to the aircraft's data-fusion capacity. In July 2012, fleetwide upgrades of the Rafale's battlefield communications and interoperability capabilities commenced. At one stage, French officials were reportedly considering equipping
11815-599: The airport at Gao and seized the main Wabary bridge over the Niger River into Gao. French special forces were also in action against rebels that had melted into the local population. During the next few hours, the French-Malian forces assaulted the town of Gao, backed by French warplanes and helicopters. The Islamists lost a dozen fighters, while the French suffered no losses or injuries. A Malian army spokesman said on 27 January that
11954-522: The airstrike, but denied Belmokhtar was among them. Belmokhtar was removed from the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice list in January 2016. Based on intelligence from the United States, in November 2016, Belmokhtar was again targeted in an airstrike conducted by French aircraft in southern Libya. In September 2021, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri announced in a book that Belmokhtar had become
12093-443: The army killed Belmokhtar, saying he blew himself up in despair after learning about the death of Abou Zeïd . French officials were not so sure, and were planning to conduct DNA tests. On 23 May 2013, Belmokhtar issued a statement confirming the death of Abou Zeid, contradicting Chadian claims of Belmokhtar's death. On 14 June 2015, Libya's government announced Belmokhtar was killed in a U.S. airstrike inside Libya. However, there
12232-592: The battle for the F/A-18s, I guess you could say that we had at least some success by 'persuading' the government to give us initial delivery priority". The first production Rafale B took its first flight on 24 November 1998, followed by the first Rafale M for the French Navy on 7 July 1999. The Rafale has been designed with an open software architecture that facilitates straightforward upgrades. Dassault and its industry partners have therefore undertaken continuous tests and development primarily aimed at progressively improving
12371-631: The claim of responsibility. Anouar Boukhars of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace saw the bombing as retaliation for the earlier French intervention in the Northern Mali conflict . In June 2013, the U.S. government announced a "$ 5 million reward for information leading to his location". In August 2013 a communique on the Mauritanian news agency ANI announced the fusion of Belmokhtar's group with MUJAO, another Al Qaida offshoot to form
12510-512: The combat search and rescue role to Bamako. On 25 January, the Air Force deployed two additional Rafale fighter jets and two additional KC-135 Stratotanker planes to N'Djamena , bringing the total to six Rafale jets and 5 KC-135's in the theater of operations. Transall C-160 transport planes from the 1/64 Béarn and 2/64 Anjou squadrons and C-130H Hercules transport planes from the 2/61 Franche Comté squadrons were used to ferry materiel to Bamako, while Transall C-160 transport planes from
12649-568: The conflict, at least 39 hostages were killed, some executed with a bullet to the head by the Brigade. Algerian special forces killed 29 members of the Brigade and captured three, according to the Algerian government. In a video, Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for the attack, saying: "We are behind the blessed daring operation in Algeria... We did it for al-Qaida". British Special Air Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment special forces , French special forces, and American units were mobilised to locate Belmokhtar. A bounty of $ 100,000
12788-464: The detection of airborne stealth targets at long range, as well as improved capabilities in the helmet-mounted display. With improved communications equipment, it is also more effective in network-centric warfare. Flight tests were conducted starting in 2021 and the first F4-standard aircraft was delivered in 2023. Previous aircraft will be upgraded to the standard, with a further 30 aircraft to be ordered in 2023. The total programme cost, as of FY2013,
12927-500: The development cost, with first flight to take place in 1986. At the time, there was no guarantee that the effort would result in a full-scale development programme, and the aircraft remained a purely "proof-of concept" test vehicle. In an effort to harmonize design specifics with the requirements of other countries while collaboration talks were being held, Dassault sized the ACX aircraft in the 9.5 tonne range. After France decided to pull out of
13066-459: The earlier detection and tracking of multiple air targets for close combat and long-range interception, as well as real-time generation of three-dimensional maps for terrain-following and the real-time generation of high resolution ground maps for navigation and targeting. In early 1994, it was reported that technical difficulties with the radar had delayed the Rafale's development by six months. In September 2006, Flight International reported
13205-481: The entry of the aircraft into service. At one stage, French naval authorities investigated the possibility of acquiring used F/A-18s to replace the obsolete F-8 for its carriers, but the French government intended an all-Rafale fleet, and did not go ahead with the plan. Deliveries of the Rafale M were subsequently given a high priority to replace the Navy's aged F-8 fighters. In the words of a naval official, "Although we lost
13344-450: The first aircraft series formally started in December 1992, but was suspended in November 1995 due to political and economic uncertainty, and resumed in January 1997 after the Ministry of Defence and Dassault agreed on a 48-aircraft (28 firm and 20 options) production run with delivery between 2002 and 2007. A further order of 59 F3 Rafales was announced in December 2004. In November 2009
13483-548: The first time they would fly combat missions from one. As many as 18 Rafale Ms could be deployed on a carrier, although some room would have to be made for French Navy support crews familiar with maintaining the Rafale, as well as for spare parts and munitions. Operation Chesapeake, a test of this interoperability, was conducted in May 2018, when 12 Rafales of Flottilles 11F, 12F, and 17F , along with nearly 350 support personnel embarked aboard USS George H.W. Bush for two weeks of carrier qualifications and exercises after conducting
13622-407: The forces committed by the countries that support France (in alphabetical order): The operation began on 11 January 2013, with French Army Gazelle helicopters armed with 20 mm cannons from the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment attacking a rebel column near Sévaré . French forces suffered one casualty when a Gazelle attack helicopter came under small arms fire and one of the two pilots
13761-512: The highly digitised cockpit is an integrated direct voice input (DVI) system, allowing a range of aircraft functions to be controlled by spoken voice commands, simplifying the pilot's access to many of the controls. Developed by Crouzet [ fr ] , the DVI is capable of managing radio communications and countermeasures systems, the selection of armament and radar modes, and controlling navigational functions. For safety reasons, generally DVI
13900-419: The initial technology demonstrator include a reduction in the size of the tail-fin, fuselage reshaping, repositioning of the engine air inlets underneath the aircraft's wing, and the extensive use of composite materials and serrated patterns for the construction of the trailing edges of the wings and canards. Seventy percent of the Rafale's surface area is composite. Many of the features designed to reduce
14039-450: The introduction of Charles de Gaulle , France's first nuclear-powered carrier , which was considerably larger than previous carriers, Foch and Clemenceau . Although not a full-aspect stealth aircraft , the cost of which was viewed as unacceptably excessive, the Rafale was designed for a reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and infrared signature . In order to reduce the RCS, changes from
14178-491: The main aircraft functions such as the flight management system , data fusion, fire control , and the man-machine interface. The total value of the radar, electronic communications and self-protection equipment is about 30 percent of the cost of the entire aircraft. The IMA has since been installed upon several upgraded Mirage 2000 fighters, and incorporated into the civilian airliner, the Airbus A380 . According to Dassault,
14317-424: The minimal cockpit systems and a fly-by-wire flight control system for the validation of the design's basic airframe-engine layout. The company desired to use the Rafale A to continue the company approach of risk reduction through incremental improvement and to test the aerodynamically unstable delta wing-canard configuration. The aircraft was Dassault's 92nd prototype in 40 years. At the time of its construction,
14456-445: The multilateral talks in July 1985 to preserve the technological independence of its fighter aircraft industry. West Germany, the UK and Italy opted out and established a new European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) programme. In Turin , on 2 August 1985, West Germany, the UK and Italy agreed to go ahead with the EFA, and confirmed that France, along with Spain, had chosen not to proceed as a member of
14595-430: The multilateral talks, designers focused on a more compact size, as specified by the Air Force. The ACX programmed was renamed Rafale ("squall") in April 1985. Construction of the Rafale A (ACX) technology demonstrator started in 1984. It had a length of 15.8 m (52 ft), a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft), and a 9.5 t (21,000 lb) empty weight. The austere aircraft lacked in major subsystems, and had
14734-413: The ninth region, covering southern Algeria where many of the most profitable smuggling routes exist. He smuggled cigarettes, drugs, stolen cars, diamonds, and people, using the money to buy weapons to supply insurgent groups. He also kidnapped for ransom dozens of Westerners, including diplomats, aid workers, doctors, and tourists from France, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Italy,
14873-452: The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in July 1999. Testing showed that the aircraft had the ability to land with significant loads of unexpended ordnance. The Rafale B was initially expected to be just a trainer, but the Gulf War showed that a second crew member was invaluable on strike and reconnaissance missions. The Air Force therefore switched its preferences towards
15012-556: The organization. In 1998, Belmokhtar joined a new splinter group, the militant Algeria-based Islamist Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), later known as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Its goal was to overthrow the Algerian government and institute an Islamic state, and its members carried out suicide bombings against Algerian government targets. Soon, he became an effective GSPC field commander. He went to Tamanrasset , Algeria, to raise money for jihad . He gradually established an elaborate smuggling network in
15151-402: The past out of a hope that the crooked could be straightened by the easiest and softest means. ... But the wound continued to bleed, and in fact increasingly bled, until your last letter arrived, ending any hope of stanching the wound and healing it. Why do the successive emirs of the region only have difficulties with you? You in particular every time? Or are all of them wrong and brother Khaled
15290-461: The pilot. Damocles provides targeting information to the various armaments carried by the Rafale and is directly integrated with the Rafale's VHF / UHF secure radio to communicate target information with other aircraft. It also performs other key functions such as aerial optical surveillance and is integrated with the navigation system as a FLIR . The Damocles designation pod was described as "lacking competitiveness" when compared to rivals such as
15429-414: The possibility of French naval Rafale Ms flying combat missions from a US Navy Nimitz -class aircraft carrier as soon as January 2017. This would enable continued French Navy operations against ISIL while Charles de Gaulle undergoes its year-and-a-half-long major refit, scheduled to begin in early 2017. Although Rafales have launched and landed on U.S. carriers to demonstrate interoperability, it would be
15568-489: The possible configurations of the new fighter under the codename Rapace ("Bird of Prey"). By March 1980, the number of configurations had been narrowed down to four, two of which had a combination of canards , delta wings and a single vertical tail-fin . The ACX project was given political impetus when the French government awarded a contract for two (later reduced to one) technology demonstrator aircraft on 13 April 1983. The government and industry would each provide half of
15707-455: The pre-series RBE2 AA radars was underway. In early October 2012, the first Rafale equipped with an RBE2 AA radar arrived at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base for operational service (the development was described by Thales and Dassault as "on time and on budget"). By early 2014, the first Air Force front-line squadron were supposed to receive Rafales equipped with the AESA radar, following the French Navy which
15846-533: The programme, as it implemented recently developed processes such as digital mockup and product data management (PDM). Engineers worked directly with computers in generating 3D models of the aircraft, and took advantage of the design software in facilitating machine-tool preparation. The system consisted of 15GB databases of each of the Rafale's components, assisting with various aspects of the design, manufacture and through-life support. The computer-aided arrangement also simplified routine maintenance. Production of
15985-459: The project needed to compete with other defense acquisition programmes for a dwindling national defense budget. This occurred in a political environment in which the chief security threat, the Soviet Union, no longer existed. The French government consequently reduced Rafale orders, which Dassault and other companies involved claimed impeded production management and led to higher costs, and delayed
16124-417: The project. Despite pressure from France, Spain rejoined the EFA project in early September 1985. The four-nation project eventually resulted in the Eurofighter Typhoon 's development. In France, the government proceeded with its own programme. The Ministry of Defence required an aircraft capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground, all-day and adverse weather operations. As France was the sole developer of
16263-546: The project. The Rafale is distinct from other European fighters of its era in that it is almost entirely built by one country, involving most of France's major defence contractors , such as Dassault , Thales and Safran . Many of the aircraft's avionics and features, such as direct voice input , the RBE2 AA active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the optronique secteur frontal infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor, were domestically developed and produced for
16402-453: The region. He named a son Osama, after Bin Laden . Omar Ould Hamaha , his uncle by marriage, was the commander of a smaller AQIM offshoot. In October 2015, Al-Qaeda spokesman, Hassan Abderraouf announced that Mokhtar was killed, but did not reveal when. Belmokhtar became interested in jihad as a schoolboy. In 1991, at the age of 19, he traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight with
16541-421: The release of kidnapped western hostages. As Belmokhtar's power and prestige grew, Wadoud began to view him as a threat to his own power. Wadoud gave more responsibility to Belmokhtar's rival commander, Abdelhamid Abou Zeid , to deflect Belmokhtar's growing authority in Algeria and Mali. In late 2012, Belmokhtar was either removed or chose to quit AQIM. Andy Morgan of The Independent opined that Belmokthar
16680-520: The same time as the multinational talks were occurring, Dassault-Breguet had been busy designing its Avion de Combat Experimental (ACX). During late 1978, prior to France's joining of the ECA, Dassault received contracts for the development of project ACT 92 ( Avion de Combat Tactique , meaning "Tactical Combat Airplane"). The following year, the National Office for Aviation Studies and Research began studying
16819-546: The strategically important central town of Markala , describing it as "secured" on 19 January. The French and Malian forces launched a major ground offensive into the North of the country for the first time on 16 January. Along with French help, Malian forces took back control of Konna on 18 January. On 21 January, the Malian military, with the aid of French air support, took possession of Diabaly. The next day, Chadian forces began moving from Niger's capital city, Niamey , to Ouallam ,
16958-539: The successor to the Rafale as the New Generation Fighter . This fighter aircraft, under development by Dassault Aviation and Airbus Defence and Space , is to replace France's Rafale, Germany's Eurofighter Typhoon, and Spain's F/A-18 Hornet in the 2030–2040 timeframe. The Rafale was developed as a modern jet fighter with a very high level of agility; Dassault chose to combine a delta wing with active close-coupled canard to maximize manoeuvrability. The aircraft
17097-583: The two groups held more than a dozen Western hostages. On 16 January 2013, in the In Aménas hostage crisis , members of Belmokhtar's new brigade attacked the Tiguentourine gas field near In Aménas , Algeria, and took more than 800 hostages. He justified the attack as a reprisal for the French intervention that had begun in Mali days before. Algerian forces made an assault and rescued hundreds of hostages. During
17236-448: The two-seater, and planned that the variant would constitute 60 percent of the Rafale fleet. The service originally planned to order 250 Rafales, later reduced to 234 aircraft, 95 "C" and 139 "B" models", and then to 212 aircraft. The Navy originally planned to order 86 Rafales, which was reduced to 60 by to budget cuts, 25 M single-seaters and 35 two-seat Ns. The two-seater was later cancelled. The ACX and subsequent production Rafale
17375-507: The work, its partner Thales 25%, and its other partner Safran 15%. The three companies rely on a network of 500 subcontractors, many of which are small and medium enterprises , providing work for 7,000 direct and indirect employees. As of 2012 , each fighter took 24 months to manufacture, with an annual production rate of eleven aircraft. The Rafale was originally planned to enter service in 1995. The aircraft's development proceeded on time, on budget, and without major difficulties. However,
17514-423: The world, and among the most successful internationally. It has been used in combat over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria. In the mid-1970s, the French Air Force ( Armée de l'Air ) and French Navy ( Marine Nationale ) had separate requirements for a new generation of fighters to replace those in or about to enter service. Because their requirements were similar, and to reduce cost, both services issued
17653-487: Was a French military operation in Mali . The aim of the operation was to oust Islamic militants from the north of Mali, who had begun a push into the center of Mali. Operation Serval followed the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 of 20 December 2012 and an official request by the Malian interim government for French military assistance. The operation ended on 15 July 2014, and
17792-517: Was an Algerian leader of the group Al-Murabitoun , former military commander of Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb , smuggler and weapons dealer. He was twice convicted and sentenced to death in absentia under separate charges in Algerian courts: in 2007 for terrorism and in 2008 for murder . In 2004, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Algeria for terrorist activities. Born in northern Algeria, Belmokhtar traveled to Afghanistan in 1991 to fight with
17931-627: Was around €45.9 billion, which translated to a unit programme cost of approximately €160.5 million. This figure takes in account improved hardware of the F3 standard, and which includes development costs over a period of 40 years, including inflation. The unit flyaway price as of 2010 was €101.1 million for the F3+ version. The Rafale is planned to be the French Air and Space Force's primary combat aircraft until at least 2040. In 2018, Dassault announced
18070-425: Was awarded on 21 April 1988 for a test and validation programme. There was nevertheless government uncertainty in the programme, as it was expected to cost some Ffr120 billion (1988 francs) in total development and procurement costs. Prime minister Michel Rocard was concerned about the state of the project and the failure of the previous government to secure cooperation with other countries, but stated that, "It
18209-489: Was designed in a "virtual" format. Dassault used the experience and technical expertise of its sister company Dassault Systèmes , which had invented the CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) system, a three-dimensional computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) software suite that became standard across the industry. CATIA enabled digitization and efficiency improvements throughout
18348-471: Was hit. The pilot, Lt. Damien Boiteux, later died of his injuries. The other pilot managed to fly the helicopter back to base, but the aircraft was written off as lost due to the damage sustained. By 12 January, hundreds of French troops were involved in the military operation in Mali, with special focus in the Battle of Konna . The Malian army claimed that, with their help, it had retaken Konna , which it had lost
18487-493: Was launched on 20 March 2017 by the French ministry of defence. The first F4.1 standard test aircraft was delivered in March 2023. For compatibility with armaments of varying types and origins, the Rafale's onboard store management system is compliant with MIL-STD-1760 , an electrical interface between an aircraft and its carriage stores, thereby simplifying the incorporation of many of their existing weapons and equipment. The Rafale
18626-525: Was ousted by Wadoud due to his "fractious behaviour". According to the Associated Press , a letter addressed to Belmokhtar ("Abu Khaled"), signed by the 14-member Shura Council of AQIM and dated 3 October, details "in page after scathing page" complaints that he "didn't answer his phone when they called, failed to turn in his expense reports, ignored meetings and refused time and again to carry out orders. Most of all, they claimed he had failed to carry out
18765-446: Was placed on his head. French and Chadian forces killed Abou Zeid in northern Mali on 25 February 2013. His death was confirmed by several sources. Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for another terrorist attack on 23 May 2013. In this attack, a French -owned uranium mine in Arlit , Niger , as well as a military base 150 miles away in Agadez , were attacked by suicide bombers with truck bombs . Experts saw no reason to doubt
18904-469: Was refused permission by civilian U.S. leaders. In June 2005, Belmokhtar and his men attacked a Mauritanian military garrison in El Mreiti. They killed at least 15 Mauritanian soldiers, and captured a significant number of weapons. By the time GSPC developed into Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in 2006, Belmokhtar's reputation as a hardened fighter, leader, and financier gained him standing with
19043-490: Was replaced by Operation Barkhane , launched on 1 August 2014 to fight Islamist fighters in the Sahel. Three of the five Islamic leaders, Abdelhamid Abou Zeid , Abdel Krim and Omar Ould Hamaha were killed, while Mokhtar Belmokhtar fled to Libya and Iyad ag Ghali fled to Algeria . The operation is named after the serval , a medium-sized African wild cat . In January 2012, following an influx of weapons that occurred after
19182-406: Was retired after 867 sorties. The early successful demonstration programme increased French industry and government confidence in the viability of a full-scale development programme for the Rafale. In June 1987, French prime minister Jacques Chirac declared that the government would proceed with the project. A contract for four pre-production aircraft (one Rafale C, two Rafale Ms and one Rafale B)
19321-437: Was slated to receive AESA-equipped Rafales starting in 2013. To enable the Rafale to perform in the air supremacy role, it includes several passive sensor systems. The front-sector electro-optical system or Optronique Secteur Frontal (OSF), developed by Thales, is completely integrated within the aircraft and can operate both in the visible and infrared wavelengths. The OSF enables the deployment of infrared missiles such as
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