French aircraft in service

Post by **Balthagor** » Aug 18 2002

I'm not sure if we should include the Super Etendard as it is an older model and likley to be out of service by 2010. Anyone know if it is a major part of the French Air Force?

Post by **Balthagor** » Aug 18 2002

And on the same idea, what about the FMA IA 58A Pucara?

Post by **Balthagor** » Aug 18 2002

One more, A-7 Corsair. Starting at 2010 I'm not sure any countries will still be using this unit.

Hellfish6 · Post by **Hellfish6** » Aug 19 2002

The Super Etendard is to be replaced by the Rafale, I think. I'm fairly sure that the only jet aircraft the French Navy will have by 2010 is the Rafale.

Oh, here we go:

The Super-Etendard will be replaced by the naval version of the multi-role combat aircraft Rafale at the beginning of the 21st century.

From FAS.org

Hellfish6 · Post by **Hellfish6** » Aug 19 2002

As for the A-7, I think only Portugal and Greece were overseas customers. If anyone still flies it, which I doubt, it would be those two. All the American A-7s were retired in the early 90s. I'd bet buttons to bullets that Portugal and Greece retired their A-7s in favor of French Mirages or the EF2000.

Upon some web searching, I could find no confirmation that either country still flew A-7s or that either of them had retired them. By 2010, however, I think it would be a safe assumption that the Corsairs had been replaced. I doubt anyone would fault you on that.

Same for the Pucara - no mention of it being retired. It will be a 35 year old design by 2010, but the B-52 will be 60 years old in comparison. It's likely, especially with Argentina suffering so badly from its econimic crisis, that the Pucara will be retained in service for many years to come.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Hellfish6 on 2002-08-19 20:52 ]</font>