was thinking that the Rafale programe may be endagering the capabilities of the French Air Force. Its acquisition and the one of the A400M are closing the opportunities of considering any CAS airplane or a substitute of the Jaguar
As already said, the jag is replaced by the rafale. Actually it is the first FAF plane replaced by the rafale.
Nevertheless, you are right about the CAS role.
The rafale can do it with the AASM. it can carry 6 of those fire and forget GPS/IIR weapons but it might be a bit expensive for the role.
But don’t forget that the mirage 2000 will still be operated until 2020. The 2000D will also use the AASM is addition of the classical GBU-22.
There are also plans to convert the mirage 2000C fleet to a CT standard and use them as attack aircrafts instead of air defence fighters (to replace the mirage F1 CT).
the tankers are very old
You are right, and they will be replaced by the A330 MRTT and the A400M.
Those new A330 tankers should be ordered during the next LPM starting in 2008
and also the trainers are not at the state of the art and the French-German industry is not planning anything new (beside maybe the Israeli Javelin).
Initial training will be provided by EADS with javelin planes.
The Alpha jets will still be used for a long time as there is no real plan to change them.
The FAF seems to think that it is better to learn the basics of a fighter pilot in a basic jet.
I also think that the A400M will not solve the issue of a Strategic Cargo
Well, at least, it will be better than the C-130 and C-160
The FAF seems quite pleased with the An124 she rents.
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