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View Full Version : Rafale M's in Storage???



Crusader2000
October 13th, 2009, 08:54 PM
Is it correct that a number of early Naval Rafales (F-1's?) are currently in storage??? If, so are they going to be returned to service soon??



StevoJH
October 13th, 2009, 09:09 PM
Is it correct that a number of early Naval Rafales (F-1's?) are currently in storage??? If, so are they going to be returned to service soon??

Yes.

As I understand it, they are to be upgraded to F3 standard and returned to service at some point in the future.
Crusader2000
October 13th, 2009, 09:17 PM
Yes.

As I understand it, they are to be upgraded to F3 standard and returned to service at some point in the future.

Do we know how many are in storage?
Scorpion82
October 14th, 2009, 08:15 AM
Seems that all 9 of them are in storage. One is being used by Dassault for trials and further developing the aircraft.
Crusader2000
October 14th, 2009, 12:47 PM
Seems that all 9 of them are in storage. One is being used by Dassault for trials and further developing the aircraft.




Well, I wonder if the French Goverment and Dassault would considering making them apart of the FX deal with Brazil? As the Brazilian Navy is currently only operating 6 Skyhawks from the Sao Paulo at the moment!



Besides are these early Naval Rafale really needed. As the original French Navy Plan was for 60 Aircraft. Clearly, 50 Aircraft would be enough to support one Air Wing for the Charles de Gaulle.