DOCSLIB.ORG

Dassaultaviation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dassaultaviation FOXTHREE DASSAULT AVIATION - SAFRAN - THALES // N° 20 FOXTHREE_20_20P_PaP_BAT.indd 2 08/10/2018 14:52 Editorial FOREWORD In the 20th issue of Fox Three, Rafale International is proud to report on the status of the French Navy carrier air wing, a lethal and powerful strike force now composed of three squadrons of Rafale M naval omnirole fighters. Since entering operational service, the Rafale M has established itself as the World’s leading carrier-borne fighter. The stringent French Navy requirements called for a versatile fighter capable of conducting the whole range of nuclear and conventional air-to-air and air-to- surface missions against the latest threats in a wide range of tactical environments. To package this kind of capabilities into such a compact aircraft required smart engineering: a host of new systems and technological innovations were introduced to ensure maximum combat efficiency and operational flexibility for the warfighter. As demonstrated during countless operations, the exquisite Rafale M has become a key French Navy power projection tool. The battle-hardened fighter has successively taken part in combat operations around the world, thus proving to be a reliable and versatile combat asset. The ‘FOX THREE’ Team Summary p.3/5 p.6/9 p.12/15 p.16/19 THREE SQUADRONS TRAINED TO VERY HIGH FULLY INTEROPERABLE OPTIMISED FOR COMBAT OF RAFALE M NAVAL STANDARDS RAFALE M AVAILABILITY AT SEA OMNIROLE FIGHTERS NOW OPERATIONAL © Dassault Aviation - Droits Réservés - HP. Grolleau - Print: IMPRIMATUR 2017. This document is not contractual and cannot engage the responsability of the industrial partners in any matter. Dassault Aviation and the industrial partners reserve the right to modify any herein indicated characteristics without prior notice. FOXTHREE_20_20P_PaP_BAT.indd 3 08/10/2018 14:52 THREE SQUADRONS OF RAFALE M NAVAL OMNIROLE FIGHTERS NOW OPERATIONAL The French Navy now has at its disposal a powerful, agile and flexible carrier strike wing composed of three Rafale M squadrons. The Rafale M is undoubtedly the most advanced naval strike fghter in service anywhere. Designed from the outset for carrier operations, it has successfully been engaged in combat operations from the Charles de Gaulle nuclear aircraft-carrier in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and Syria. The versatile Rafale M excels in the full spectrum of missions, including air superiority/offensive counter air, feet air defence/defensive counter air, pre-strategic and tactical reconnaissance, nuclear deterrence, des- truction of enemy air defences, deep strikes, battlefeld air interdiction, close air support, anti-ship strikes, buddy-buddy refuelling… rance to strike targets far away. the Rafale’s radar cross section, Optimised design Even better, the Rafale M was further lowering vulnerability. fitted with thirteen hardpoints to In an effort to minimise Compared to US super carriers, carry a 9,500-kg weapon load, procurement / operating costs the Charles de Gaulle is smaller, the largest combat load of any and decrease production and with a shorter deck that imposed naval fighter. In flight, its perfor- maintenance complexity, the the development of an advanced mance is startling. It’s got tons of naval Rafale M and its Rafale C aircraft that would guarantee thrust and loads of lift for maxi- and B air force counterparts all particularly slow approach / mum agility, as demonstrated at share an extremely high level of landing speeds. To match this countless airshow venues since commonality. Their airframes, stringent requirement, Dassault service entry. As a result, Ra- weapon systems, engines Aviation came up with an aero- fale M air combat performance and subsystems are identical, dynamically advanced delta clearly exceeds expectations: it differences being mainly design fitted with canard fore- can accelerate and turn hard, restricted to the landing gear, planes. The selected configura- and change altitude very rapidly to the arresting hook and to the tion offered the best compromise to become unpredictable for the introduction of a built-in foldable between minimum and maximum enemy. Specific features and low access ladder. speeds, combat agility during a observable coatings have been dogfight, and range and endu- introduced to significantly reduce FOXTHREE 3 FOXTHREE_20_20P_PaP_BAT.indd 4 08/10/2018 14:52 THREE SQUADRONS OF RAFALE M NAVAL OMNIROLE FIGHTERS NOW OPERATIONAL stealth cruise missile into warzones by the French Navy as a global Global strike capability guarded by sophisticated enemy combat asset, operating deep air-defence systems. into Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and Striking deep into contested To increase the reach of carrier- Syria, demonstrating in action its airspace requires a platform able launched strikes, the Rafale M can operational effectiveness. Using to operate effectively in medium to be refuelled by a land-based tanker a constantly expanding range very high-level threat environments. or by another Rafale configured as of precision weapons, French The Rafale was designed with a buddy-buddy tanker, thus giving naval aviators have destroyed an such a mission in mind as part all-out operational flexibility to the extremely large array of hostile of the French nuclear deterrence carrier air wing. For buddy-buddy positions, armoured vehicles, concept. When flying from the refuelling missions, a Rafale can buried structures, guns and mortar carrier, the Rafale M can strike a be fitted with four Mica air-to- emplacements, hardened aircraft huge range of targets far inside air missiles, an in-flight refuelling shelters, cave entrances, including hostile territories, either alone or pod and up to four drop tanks to heavily defended targets in Libya. as part of a multinational coalition. maximise give away capabilities. It can ‘fling’ long-range weapons The Rafale M is a combat- such as the combat-proven Scalp proven tool. It has been used Expanding number of the conversion from the Super terface, all French Navy pilots are Etendard which was withdrawn trained to conduct all air-to-air and squadrons from use in 2016. It has now been air-to-surface missions. Readiness is declared fully operational on the maintained at a very high level: at All three French Navy fighter Rafale. any given time, 24 Rafales stand squadrons – Flottilles 11F, 12F and The three units take turns providing ready to deploy on board Charles 17F shore-based at Landivisiau, in two duty squadrons to the French de Gaulle or to fly to a shore base Brittany – are now equipped with carrier air group, the third squa- for contingency operations. an ever expanding fleet of Rafale dron assuming the training role for M fighters. Flottille 12F was the first new pilots in the meantime. Thanks to convert to the Rafale, followed by to the Rafale’s legendary ease of 11F. Flottille 17F has just completed use and intuitive man-machine in- offensive and defensive capabilities will offer extended operational Capabilities expansion to the French Navy. Work on ranges and reduced power and integrating these new capabilities cooling requirements. A whole The French Ministry of Defence is has now been completed, with range of new, lethal weapons constantly investing to guarantee service entry slated in the next few will be adopted, including the the fighting relevance of all its Air months. new Franco-British, multipurpose, Force and Navy Rafales and their Looking further ahead, Rafale stealth, stand-off Future Cruise and ability to operate in contested M fighters will receive numerous Anti-ship Weapon (FCASW) which battlespaces: software upgrades new enhancements as part of will replace both the Scalp and the are introduced every two years on the new Standard F4 which is current AM39 Exocet. average, a required process for being developed to meet the From the start of its design process, capabilities expansion. From early projected threats over the next the Rafale family was developed to 2019, Air Force Rafale C and B two decades. Enhancements will easily incorporate new weapons, fighters and their Navy Rafale M include a helmet-mounted display, new sensors and new systems counterparts will be brought to the new cockpit displays, a new as part of spiral enhancements. F3R standard that will permit the directional datalink to improve Future variants will be even more use of the Meteor ramjet-propelled their connectivity, and multipurpose survivable and networked for air-to-air missile and of the Thales active electronic scanning planar total interoperability with other Talios next generation targeting arrays able to carry out numerous French and foreign assets. Flown pod. The AESA radar, the Spectra functions simultaneously: detection, by competent and confident electronic warfare suite, the IFF, jamming, electronic attack and Aéronautique Navale pilots, Rafale the datalink and other systems will communication. These planar arrays M omnirole fighters will constitute also be upgraded as part of the will rely on the latest Gallium a powerful strike force for the F3R standard, thus offering robust Nitride (GaN) technology which foreseeable future. 4 FOXTHREE FOXTHREE_20_20P_PaP_BAT.indd 5 08/10/2018 14:52 New Generation Mica missile for the Rafale From 2026, all three Air Force and Navy Rafale variants will be equipped with the state-of-the-art Mica NG (New Generation) air-to-air missile for air-dominance missions. Two new versions of the fire-and-forget MBDA Mica NG, infrared and radar-guided, will be developed to supplant the current Mica IR and EM used for beyond visual range interceptions, dogfights and self-defence. They will be fitted with innovative seekers and rocket motors and will be resilient to US-imposed International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to enhance their export potential. The two variants of the Mica NG will supplement the Meteor: while the ramjet propelled missile will be used for engagements at extreme ranges, the multipurpose Mica NG will prove its worth in a whole range of situations, from long-range interceptions to within visual range combat. Deliveries to the French Armed Forces will span from 2026 to 2031.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Missilesmissilesdr Carlo Kopp in the Asia-Pacific
    MISSILESMISSILESDr Carlo Kopp in the Asia-Pacific oday, offensive missiles are the primary armament of fighter aircraft, with missile types spanning a wide range of specialised niches in range, speed, guidance technique and intended target. With the Pacific Rim and Indian Ocean regions today the fastest growing area globally in buys of evolved third generation combat aircraft, it is inevitable that this will be reflected in the largest and most diverse inventory of weapons in service. At present the established inventories of weapons are in transition, with a wide variety of Tlegacy types in service, largely acquired during the latter Cold War era, and new technology 4th generation missiles are being widely acquired to supplement or replace existing weapons. The two largest players remain the United States and Russia, although indigenous Israeli, French, German, British and Chinese weapons are well established in specific niches. Air to air missiles, while demanding technologically, are nevertheless affordable to develop and fund from a single national defence budget, and they result in greater diversity than seen previously in larger weapons, or combat aircraft designs. Air-to-air missile types are recognised in three distinct categories: highly agile Within Visual Range (WVR) missiles; less agile but longer ranging Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles; and very long range BVR missiles. While the divisions between the latter two categories are less distinct compared against WVR missiles, the longer ranging weapons are often quite unique and usually much larger, to accommodate the required propellant mass. In technological terms, several important developments have been observed over the last decade.
    [Show full text]
  • Greece's Unlikely Compellence Air Force
    REPORT GREECE’S UNLIKELY COMPELLENCE AIR FORCE MODERNIZATION & DIPLOMATIC ASSERTIVENESS REPORT RIFAT ÖNCEL After a decade-long financial crisis, Greece recently initiated a comprehensive military modernization program. The country has undertaken a significant upgrade of its air force COMPELLENCE GREECE’S UNLIKELY inventory and is purchasing new fighter jets. Beside arms build-up, Greece is working hard to expand its alliance network in the Middle East while increasing its anti-Turkish pressure campaign across Europe and the United States. Although this policy has peaked recently, it is not a new phenomenon in the Greek security mindset. Originating from the so-called “Turkish threat”, this twofold effort has become the foundational element of Greek foreign and security strategies since Turkey’s Cyprus Peace Operation in 1974. Recent Greek military modernization and diplomatic activism is a clear demonstration of its decades-old compellence strategy, rather than a deterrence which its official disco- urse claims. If it were a policy of deterrence, it is consistently failing because Greece also claims that the regional status-quo is always changing, against its national interests, in favor of Turkey. Its strong emphasis on deterrence, in fact, belies its real strategy, one that is designed not to deter Turkey by dissuading it from taking a specific action but rather force it to renounce something that is already in process. In contemporary geopolitics, contrary to Greek demands, Turkey has been conducting seismic research, in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean Seas, under the protection of its navy and air force. Against this backdrop, Greece wants to boost its offensive capabilities, expand the num- ber of its allies, and ensure an international embargo on Turkey to force the latter to back down from its vital interests in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Air-To-Air Missile [UPSC Notes for GS III]
    Air-to-Air Missile [UPSC Notes for GS III] An air-to-air missile (AAM) is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fueled but sometimes liquid- fueled. The topic finds relevance in GS-3 of the UPSC exam. Types of Air-to-Air Missiles Air-to-air missiles are broadly categorized into two groups: “Short range missiles” and “medium or long range missiles”. o The missiles designed to engage opposing aircraft at a range of less than 30 km are known as short-range or "within visual range" missiles. o The medium- or long-range missiles, both fall under the category of “beyond visual range” missiles, and often rely upon radar guidance. The short-range missiles are sometimes called "dogfight" missiles because they are designed to optimize their agility rather than range. Astra Air-to-Air Missile It is an all-weather missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and its production began in 2017. Astra is the smallest missile in terms of size and weight, developed by the DRDO. Type of missile: It is a Beyond-Visual Range Air-to-Air indigenously developed missile (BVRAAM). Specifications: o It has a terminal Active Radar Homing (ARH). ARH is a missile guidance method in which a missile contains a radar transceiver and the electronics necessary for it to find and track its target autonomously. o The missile is capable of engaging targets at varying ranges and altitudes for engagement with short-range and long-range targets.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Mistral MANPADS Datasheet
    MISTRAL MANPADS LIGHTWEIGHT, MAN PORTABLE VSHORAD WEAPON Mistral MANPADS is a highly portable, easy-to-use fire-and-forget VSHORAD system featuring a Mistral Operational advantages missile launcher mounted on a tripod that can be • Fire-and-forget allowing engagement of multiple, operated from the ground, a vehicle or a vessel. simultaneous threats The easy to load launcher accommodates a single, • Enhanced ability to engage low IR signature targets ready-to-fire Mistral missile. (eg. drones) • Unequalled performance against the latest Mistral is a man-portable, fully digital, heat-seeking fire-and-forget countermeasures missile designed to meet the requirements of all branches of the • Easy to use, rapid reloading armed forces. It boasts a 96% proven success rate and higher • Can be operated day and night, in severe weather reliability than any other existing low-level air defence missile. and regardless of terrain conditions It integrates ultimate state-of-the-art technology to ensure optimum • Lightweight and easily man-portable by a two-person effectiveness. This includes a full imaging seeker providing high team (one for the firing post and one for the missiles) resistance to IR countermeasures and the ability to engage low IR • Can be integrated within a wider defence network signature targets. The missile’s large 3kg warhead associated with a laser proximity fuze combine to provide an impressive kill probability. MBDA contacts 1 ave Réaumur 92350 Le Plessis Robinson France GROUND BASED Tel: +33 1 71 54 10 00 AIR DEFENCE www.mbda-systems.com
    [Show full text]
  • Worldwide Equipment Guide Volume 2: Air and Air Defense Systems
    Dec Worldwide Equipment Guide 2016 Worldwide Equipment Guide Volume 2: Air and Air Defense Systems TRADOC G-2 ACE–Threats Integration Ft. Leavenworth, KS Distribution Statement: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 1 UNCLASSIFIED Worldwide Equipment Guide Opposing Force: Worldwide Equipment Guide Chapters Volume 2 Volume 2 Air and Air Defense Systems Volume 2 Signature Letter Volume 2 TOC and Introduction Volume 2 Tier Tables – Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, UAVs, Air Defense Chapter 1 Fixed Wing Aviation Chapter 2 Rotary Wing Aviation Chapter 3 UAVs Chapter 4 Aviation Countermeasures, Upgrades, Emerging Technology Chapter 5 Unconventional and SPF Arial Systems Chapter 6 Theatre Missiles Chapter 7 Air Defense Systems 2 UNCLASSIFIED Worldwide Equipment Guide Units of Measure The following example symbols and abbreviations are used in this guide. Unit of Measure Parameter (°) degrees (of slope/gradient, elevation, traverse, etc.) GHz gigahertz—frequency (GHz = 1 billion hertz) hp horsepower (kWx1.341 = hp) Hz hertz—unit of frequency kg kilogram(s) (2.2 lb.) kg/cm2 kg per square centimeter—pressure km kilometer(s) km/h km per hour kt knot—speed. 1 kt = 1 nautical mile (nm) per hr. kW kilowatt(s) (1 kW = 1,000 watts) liters liters—liquid measurement (1 gal. = 3.785 liters) m meter(s)—if over 1 meter use meters; if under use mm m3 cubic meter(s) m3/hr cubic meters per hour—earth moving capacity m/hr meters per hour—operating speed (earth moving) MHz megahertz—frequency (MHz = 1 million hertz) mach mach + (factor) —aircraft velocity (average 1062 km/h) mil milliradian, radial measure (360° = 6400 mils, 6000 Russian) min minute(s) mm millimeter(s) m/s meters per second—velocity mt metric ton(s) (mt = 1,000 kg) nm nautical mile = 6076 ft (1.152 miles or 1.86 km) rd/min rounds per minute—rate of fire RHAe rolled homogeneous armor (equivalent) shp shaft horsepower—helicopter engines (kWx1.341 = shp) µm micron/micrometer—wavelength for lasers, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • FOX THREE” Team
    Dassault Aviation • Snecma • Thales RAFALE INTERNATIONAL FOXTHREE DASSAULT AVIATION - SNECMA - THALES N°11 PIT STOP RAFALE INTERNATIONAL Maintaining operational combat readiness can be expensive. It’s why Rafale is designed to be fully, quickly serviceable by a reduced ground crew. Compare that to the maintenance requirements of other late-generation fighters. And then carefully calculate the impact Rafale’s better design can have on your total life-cycle costs and dispatch reliability. Rafale. A generation ahead. Rafale. The OMNIROLE fighter. Editorial In the 11th issue of Fox Free, The Rafale Team is proud to report that the Rafale has been engaged in combat for the first time. During the last couple of months, French Navy and French Air Forces Rafales have successfully participated in combat operations over Afghanistan and have provided fire support to NATO ground troops on numerous occasions, scoring direct hits with remarkable accuracy. The “FOX THREE” Team Summary p.3/5 p.6/11 p.12-13 p.14/15 UNFAIR ADVANTAGE The Rafale omnirole fighter’s main air-to-air weapon, the MICA (Missile d’Interception, de Combat et d’Autodéfense, Interception, Combat and Self-Defence Missile), is an Unfair Advantage Engaged in combat With the navy A bright future advanced missile which provides unique capabilities. The fire-and-forget MICA was developed as a multi-target multi-mission multi-wave weapon to replace both the acclaimed short-range, IR-guided Magic 2 and the long-range, radar-guided Super 530D arming the Mirage 2000. PEMA 2b - Crédit photos : F. Robineau • K.Tokunaga • A.Paringaux • HP.Grolleau • Dassault Aviation – Sirpa Air – Sirpa Marine - Print : Aviaplans.
    [Show full text]
  • BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile: Pride of India
    2 In the Armed Forces, huge Modernisation in the shipyard, inter-alia other mea- sures, undertaken in last few years, has enabled the gap in supply and demand shipyard to outperform all other shipyards in the sector and to triple its turnover in last four years and moving it to become the 2nd largest DPSU shipyard by turnover. Inadequate logistics, and shortages of ammunition and spare parts hit Army’s capability This will also enable the shipyard to be ‘future ready’,and undertake indigenous construction of import HE 'MILITARY Balance 2018' re- substitute, weapon intensive projects like Mine Counter MeasureVessels port by the International Insti- and Missile Frigates, adding armour to the Indian Naval Forces. tute for Strategic Studies (IISS) indicates that India overtook Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital, NM, IN. (Retd.), the United Kingdom as the fifth- CMD, Goa Shipyard Limited Tlargest defence spender in the world in 2017 at $52.5 billion,up from $51.1 bil- lion in 2016. According to the report while India continues to modernise its military capa- Goa Shipyard bilities,China“with the world’s second- largest defence budget after the US”re- mains far ahead with three times India’s acute shortage of combat planes — rifles.Currently theArmy is usingAK-47s defence budget at $150.5 billion. while it should be about 42 squadrons; and INSAS.The personal kit of an Indian Limited: helping However,it points out that the overall it is effectively down to about 31 squad- soldier, which includes bulletproof jack- capability of the Indian army is limited rons.The navy needs new warships, air- ets, helmets and shoes, needs to be re- by inadequate logistics,and shortages of craft carriers,submarines,artillery and a placed with lighter kit.
    [Show full text]
  • Modernization of the Czech Air Force
    Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive Theses and Dissertations Thesis Collection 2001-06 Modernization of the Czech Air Force. Vlcek, Vaclav. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/10888 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California THESIS MODERNIZATION OF THE CZECH AIR FORCE by Vaclav Vlcek June 2001 Thesis Advisor: Raymond Franck Associate Advisor: Gregory Hildebrandt Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 20010807 033 REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMBNo. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED June 2001 Master's Thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE : MODERNIZATION OF THE CZECH AIR FORCE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS 6. AUTHOR(S) Vaclav VIcek 8. PERFORMING 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) ORGANIZATION REPORT Naval Postgraduate School NUMBER Monterey, CA 93943-5000 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORING / MONITORING N/A AGENCY REPORT NUMBER 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Hellenic Air Force Relies on Own Strength and Professionalism
    DUTCH AVIATION SUPPORT Chamber of Commerce: 08106154 Piloot&Vliegtuig - Aranysas - Cockpit - TopguN - Fuerza - Aeronautica&Difesa - Interception Hellenic Air Force relies on own strength and professionalism Hellenic Air Force relies on own strength and professionalism The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is a truly force of fighter aircraft. No one would argue about the air power presented by this fighter force. Within NATO, Greece plays a major role in numbers of aircraft situated on NATO’s southern area, but however agrees have been made about NATO assignment the tasks of the main part of the Hellenic air force is specified in the region. Being in many ways opponent to its neighbour Turkey who strongly expose itself with many fighter aircraft, Greece feels the need to balance this with an own strong force to create at any time the possibility to respond on whatever regional threat. Substantial numbers of fighters forming the backbone The mix of fighter aircraft consists of the F-16, the Mirage 2000, the F-4 phantom and the A-7 Corsair. The Mirage F-1 and Northrop F-5/ NF-5 aircraft were withdrawn from service some years ago and this fate will be the case for the A-7 Corsair also, being nominated to leave in near future. The HAF was rapidly modernising their fighter fleet in recent years with the necessary upgrades and the Ministry of defence announced that new fighters will be introduce in the HAF showing major interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon. There was even a number announced (between 60-80) but major costs for the Olympics hosted by Greece in 2004 stumbled the cash flow and cost able adventures like the acquisition of high tech aircraft asked suddenly for a much longer period to decide and establish.
    [Show full text]
  • Rows in the Eastmed Bring New Greek Military Program
    ROWS IN THE EASTMED BRING NEW GREEK MILITARY PROGRAM. CHANGING THE BALANCE Responding to increasing threats of war in the Eastmed, the Greek government decided for a major program to update its military deterrence capacity. In this ambitious program we can acknowledge five main pillars, showing a long term strategy, taking Greece to a strategic regional player level. Something that will strongly reinforce the position of Athens in comparison to Turkey. 1. MODERNIZING THE AIR FORCE: NEW STRATEGIC CAPACITIES With an ageing but still very valid fleet of F-16, F-4 and Mirage 2000, Greece needed an immediate upgrade of its strategic capacity. The choice falling on second hand Rafale F3, eighteen in all, allows the Greek Air Force to extend and tremendously enhancement of its own attack and range capacity (the Rafale outperform any other existing platform in the current inventory of the Greek Air Force and is able to carry a very heavy and composite payload of advanced weapons and pods). Two more issues are of paramount importance in the choice of the Greek Ministry of Defense. The first is timing. Choosing second hand Rafale gives the possibility of a very fast introduction in service of the machines, without waiting for the long process of new production, training commissioning. Training of Greek air and maintenance crews can start immediately, in order to achieve operability of the new Rafale unit within 2021. The second and maybe more important element is the free, and not subject to caveats, access and use to strategic French weaponry (Scalp, Meteor, MICA, Exocet).
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Military Modernization: Response Options for Pakistan Air Force
    Indian Military Modernization: Response Options for Pakistan Air Force As a result of developments in advanced technology, rigorous training and the role of leadership at the operational level of war, airpower has now reached a point where it has become truly strategic in terms of its potential effects. Even more so given the advent of stealth, precision targeting capability and rapidly enhancing situational awareness about the battlefield. Closer to home as well air operations have proved to be relatively effective and swift as compared to the land forces at all levels. For instance, the February 2019 action by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) proved the significance of airpower in terms of prompt, quick and decisive action which caused effective damage to the enemy and had significant influence on the subsequent course of action and outcome. If we look at the Indian military modernization pattern, it has rapidly increased in different dimensions. Indian procurement of S-400, induction of Rafale and development of BrahMos hypersonic cruise missiles reflect its future ambitions. These latest developments by India are having a destabilizing impact on the strategic stability of the region, and it subsequently requires that the PAF constantly review its offensive and defensive capabilities at the operational, strategic and tactical levels to remain potent against IAF which is much larger in size. At the operational level, the synergy between electronic warfare (EW) and kinetic capabilities is significant to achieve overwhelming success in modern combat. In February 2019, India lacked expertise in EW and was not able to integrate and disseminate information securely. On the other hand, Pakistan effectively used EW and outsmarted the IAF, but in future, this domain has to be developed further.
    [Show full text]
  • Genomic Epidemiology of Candida Auris in Qatar Reveals Hospital Transmission Dynamics and a South Asian Origin
    Journal of Fungi Article Genomic Epidemiology of Candida auris in Qatar Reveals Hospital Transmission Dynamics and a South Asian Origin Husam Salah 1 , Sathyavathi Sundararaju 2, Lamya Dalil 2, Sarah Salameh 3 , Walid Al-Wali 4, Patrick Tang 2,5 , Fatma Ben Abid 3,5 and Clement K. M. Tsui 2,5,6,* 1 Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; [email protected] 2 Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar; [email protected] (S.S.); [email protected] (L.D.); [email protected] (P.T.) 3 Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; [email protected] (S.S.); [email protected] (F.B.A.) 4 Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Al Wakra Hospital, Doha, Qatar; [email protected] 5 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar 6 Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Abstract: Candida auris is an emerging, multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that has become a public health threat with an increasing incidence of infections worldwide. Candida auris spreads easily among patients within and between hospitals. Infections and outbreaks caused by C. auris have been reported in the Middle East region including Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar; however, the Citation: Salah, H.; Sundararaju, S.; origin of these isolates is largely unknown. Pathogen whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to Dalil, L.; Salameh, S.; Al-Wali, W.; Tang, P.; Ben Abid, F.; Tsui, C.K.M.
    [Show full text]