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World Defense & Security News - France
 
 
Dassault lands $648M order for French Air Force aircraft support
 
The French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has been awarded a 524,786,559€ (US$ 648 mn) contract to support the French Air Force fleets of Mirage 2000 fighter jets, Alpha Jet advanced training aircraft and C-160 Transall airlifters, the European Tenders Electronic Daily online platform announced on November 28, 2017.
     
Dassault ands 648M order for French Air Force aircraft support 640 001Two French Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jets controlling Baltic skies as part of op. Baltic Air Policing
(Credit: French Air Force/EMA)
     
The contract, awarded by the French defence ministry's integrated through-life support structure for aeronautical equipment and systems (SIMMAD), includes "In-service support of Dassault Aviation aircraft and equipment in service with the French Armed Forces: Mirage 2000, Alpha Jet and C160."

France's air force is highly involved in the fight against terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria (Op. Chammal), and in Northern Africa (Op. Barkhane). Eight Mirage 2000s are currently based in Sahel - four in N'Djamena and four in Niamey - in the frame of the operation Barkhane. From December 2014 to September 2015, an airbase in Jordan hosted a mixed fleet of Mirage 2000D/N fighter jets as part of the operation Chammal.

The French Air Force currently flies around 35 Mirage 2000C and 2000-5s, 23 Mirage 2000-Ns and 67 Mirage 2000Ds, as well as 75 Alpha Jet trainers and 23 C-160 Transall airlifters.