For the first time since Kosovo in 1999, the French Navy has found itself carrying out a large-scale combat operation. Combat Aircraft reports from the deck of the Charles de Gaulle, cruising along the northern edges of the Gulf of Sirte. Much has changed for the Marine Nationale since the Kosovo crisis. The carrier Foch in service during Operation 'Allied Force' has been sold to Brazil (with whom it now serves as Sao Paulo). The outdated F-8P Crusader, the Etendard IVPM and the Alize have all been withdrawn from service and the Super Etendard has been extensively modernized. Even more important have been the introduction of the Rafale M omni-role fighter, the E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft and the carrier Charles de Gaulle. For the French Navy, all these changes have resulted in the creation of an extremely powerful, coherent and efficient power-projection tool equipped with the latest combat aircraft, precision weapons, satellite communication systems, tactical datalinks and command and control networks.
展开▼
