Interestingly, the
Rafale has now been cleared for operations in Afghanistan. Up to six aircraft (two Navy F2 standard
Rafale M and four Air Force Standard 2 aircraft - probably twin-seaters, from EC 1/7
"Provence" at Saint-Dizier and/or EC 5/330
"Cote d'Argent" at Mont-de-Marsan) will reinforce the
Mirage 2000Ds currently based at Manas in Kyrgizstan. The
Rafales will use LGBs, "slick" 500-lb and AASM (GPS-guided).
Operating the
Rafale along the 2000D will allow some interesting comparisons - and with its extra range, take some pressure off the C-135FR tankers.
Cheers
