French Air and Space Force Rafale fighters are among the aircraft taking part in a power-projection exercise including operations over Sweden, which joined NATO a little over a year ago. The latest edition of the Pégase (Pegasus) drill comes as European NATO members look at bolstering their deterrence capabilities independent of the United States, with France very much at the center of these discussions. Notably, the maneuvers are also being accompanied by an exercise in which French military aircraft have been rapidly dispersed to alternative airfields, something that would be required in a large-scale conflict with Russia, for example. […]
Notably, the French Air and Space Force described this as a strategic exercise, designed “to assert our presence, strengthen our partnerships, and demonstrate our commitment to European security, alongside our allies.” […]
France has around 50 two-seat Rafale Bs assigned to the nuclear mission, armed with ASMP-A supersonic missiles and supported by a fleet of A330 MRTT aerial refueling tankers. These aircraft are dual-role, however, and are capable of a wide range of air-to-ground missions, and air defense ones, in addition to their strategic strike role. Läs artikel