Recently, 3 French Navy Rafale M fighter jets deployed onboard carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91) conducted their longest power projection exercise from sea. Supported by a French Air and Space Force A330 MRTT Phénix, the fighters flew over 4000km (about 5 hours) from the Indian Ocean to Paya Lebar Airbase Singapore, landing on 17 January 2023.

Pilots from Flottille 12F, “The Lascars”, based in Landivisiau NAS, Brittany, took part in this exercise. Throughout the week, Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) sorties were flown with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) counterparts in the South China Sea, within international airspace.

01. Rafale Ms on final approach to Paya Lebar Airbase after their long-range flight

02. Commander Guillaume Le Rasle, Commanding Officer, 12F

03. A330 MRTT (F-UJCL) from ERVTS 1/31 “Bretagne” squadron provided aerial refuelling capability. This particular airframe is marked for transition to the future ERVTS 2/31 “Estérel” squadron.

04. DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) was conducted with both RSAF F-15SG (pictured) and F-16 aircraft

05. RSAF F-15SG and Rafale M fighters return from a mid-day sortie

06. The local northeast monsoon weather brought about challenging conditions for the exercise flights

 

Speaking to reporters, the French Ambassador to Singapore, Her Excellency, Ms Minh-Di Tang, reaffirmed France’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, especially South-East Asia. France and Singapore also enjoy longstanding relations, and this exercise showcases the interoperability and high level of trust bilaterally. Another aim was to demonstrate flexibility and reach of operations, with RASTABAN and VARUNA exercises being held concurrently in Singapore and off Goa’s coast respectively.

07. Her Excellency, Ms Minh-Di Tang, French Ambassador to Singapore

08. The Charles De Gaulle Carrier Strike Group has been deployed on mission ANTARES since 15 Nov 2022

09. A Rafale M performs a full afterburner short take-off from Paya Lebar Airbase

 

After spending the Lunar New Year long weekend holiday in Singapore, the Rafale M detachment departed on 27 January 2023, marking the successful conclusion of exercise RASTABAN. With France being a dependable defence partner to Singapore, the RASTABAN projection exercise comes not long after Mission PEGASE in September 2022, and will be followed up with the Jeanne d’Arc deployment later in the year.

10. The Mission PEGASE deployment in September 2022 included three Rafale Bs, two A330 MRTTs and one A400M Atlas aircraft

11. The Jeanne d’Arc Amphibious Ready Group last deployed to the Indo-Pacific region in 2021 with FS Tonnerre and FS Surcouf