Rafale versus the slow-movers

摘要

Since the 9/11 attacks and the emergence of asymmetric terrorist threats, air defence and air sovereignty have assumed new importance in the West. Most air forces now maintain fighters on round-the-clock standby. In France, Mirage 2000 and Rafale jets as well as Fennec rotorcraft with helicopter-borne snipers are held at extremely high readiness at seven different locations. They can be scrambled within minutes to defeat a range of airborne threats, from microlights and drones to hijacked airliners and nuclear bombers. On top of this purely military air defence role, quick reaction alert (QRA) aircraft are held at readiness for air policing missions, enforcing regulations in French airspace. The QRA is also available to assist pilots experiencing problems with deteriorating weather conditions, technical difficulties or human factors, including in-flight medical emergencies.