The Royal Air Force have been engaging in training exercises against French counterparts over the Mediterranean to simulate a "dogfight". The British Typhoon fighters jets conducted combat air training with French Rafales from the French Air and Space Force to earn valuable experience.
The exercises, known as Dissimilar Air Combat Training, come in the wake of Nato members vowing to build stronger bonds and cooperation amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The training is seen as "fundamental" and "extremely valuable", with the RAF confirming the exercises took place, reports the Express.
A statement from the RAF read: "Royal Air Force Typhoons from 903 Expeditionary Air Wing in Cyprus conducted joint training with French Rafale multi-role fighter jets flown by the Air and Space Force based in the Middle East. Carrying out bilateral air-to-air combat training over the Eastern Mediterranean, the fighters were supported by air-to-air refuelling from an RAF Voyager, also from 903 Expeditionary Air Wing.
“The aircraft undertook rare and extremely valuable one-on-one Dissimilar Air Combat Training, often referred to as dog-fighting, with the Rafales. The RAF Voyager tanker extended the time-on-task for the fighters, thus elongating the training opportunity to further improve proficiency.”
Wing Commander Frazer, commanding officer of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing said: “Building on the previous mission carried out in December 2021, this activity remains fundamental to furthering both nations’ interoperability goals.
“In addition to some very valuable flying, the operation sends a strong strategic message that we remain in the Eastern Mediterranean as a valuable member of both the counter-Daesh mission and other NATO operations, ready and able to work seamlessly with our many partners in the region.”
General Ianni of the French Air Force, added: "This activity between French and British fighter aircraft in a strategic area illustrates the joint commitment capabilities of our two armed forces, based on strong interoperability and on the respect and enforcement of international law."
The RAF unveiled a new strategy last month in light of the security challenges brought on by global events. The RAF are still reliant on Typhoon as the primary air attack and defence aircraft. In another sign of future commitment, the RAF has announced the jets will receive a £2.35 billion upgrade investment.
Britain is also in the early stages of the design and development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft dubbed “Tempest.” However, the Typhoon programme still continues to support more than 20,000 jobs throughout the UK.
The latest investments sustain more than 1,300 jobs across the UK, including Leonardo UK’s sites in Edinburgh, Luton and Lincoln, BAE Systems at Warton and Samlesbury, Lancashire, Kent, Meggitt in Stevenage and II–VI in County Durham.
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