The Royal Australian Air Drive (RAAF) and the French Air and House Drive (FASF) rendezvoused over the Coral Sea on 17 August 2022. Following the FASF’s deployment from France to New Caledonia, travelling over 16,000kms, Dassault Rafale fighters and a Multi-Position Tanker Transport plane had been greeted by RAAF No. 6 Squadron EA-18G Growlers between New Caledonia and Australia. Australia and France’s continued defence relationship is pushed by shared values and an ongoing dedication to regional stability throughout the Indo-Pacific area. Air Commodore Tim Alsop mentioned each nations are dedicated to additional enhancing engagement and interoperability. French and Australian forces have come collectively once more throughout Train Pitch Black 22 within the Northern Territory which can run till September 8.
Commander Air Fight Group, Air Commodore Tim Alsop mentioned,“The assembly highlights the power of the continued engagement between the 2 nations, and the flexibility to deploy air fight functionality at short-notice. The FASF carried out a speedy 36 hour deployment to New Caledonia with Dassault Rafale plane and a Multi-Position Tanker Transport. The aptitude to quickly deploy with a small however potent power demonstrates the RAAF’s means to undertaking energy and reply effectively at quick discover. It was a incredible alternative for our Growler plane to hitch the French Dassault Rafale plane for the final leg of their journey to Australia. We’re dedicated to making sure a secure and open and inclusive Indo-Pacific area.”
Commercial
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based digital warfare plane, a specialised model of the two-seat F/A-18F Tremendous Hornet. The Growler’s digital warfare functionality is primarily supplied by Northrop Grumman. Australia has additionally bought twelve EA-18Gs, which entered service with the Royal Australian Air Drive in 2017. The Growler has greater than 90% in frequent with the usual Tremendous Hornet, sharing airframe, Raytheon AN/APG-79 AESA radar and weapon techniques such because the AN/AYK-22 shops administration system. On 3 Might 2007, the Australian Authorities signed an A$2.9 billion contract to amass 24 F/A-18Fs for the Royal Australian Air Drive (RAAF) as an interim alternative for its ageing F-111s.
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter plane designed and constructed by Dassault Aviation. Geared up with a variety of weapons, the Rafale is meant to carry out air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, floor help, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. Launched in 2001, the Rafale is being produced for each the French Air Drive and for carrier-based operations within the French Navy. The Airbus A330 Multi Position Tanker Transport (MRTT) Phénix is a European aerial refuelling and navy transport plane primarily based on the civilian Airbus A330. 15 plane ordered by the French Air and House Drive with the final unit anticipated to be delivered by 2025.
