Why is the French Air Force seriously under-capable?

The upcoming signing of the sales contract for 18 aircraft Rafale to Greece is undoubtedly excellent news for the French defense industry and for advancing the French concept of a Europe capable of defending itself. On the other hand, this news will be perceived very differently by the French Air and Space Force which will be deprived, for a time at least, of 12 of its planes. Rafale for the benefit of the Greek air forces, while it is already below its capacity needs given the operational pressure to which it has had to respond in recent years. And the situation could well get worse with the possible sale of 12 others Rafale used in Croatia. It is therefore important to study the present and future format of the Air and Space Force in the face of operational pressure, but also in the face of emerging security issues.

An immediate capacity deficit

Today, the French Air Force fields 215 fighter planes, or 105 Rafale, 65 Mirage 2000D, 25 Mirage 2000-5 and around twenty Mirage 2000 C/B arriving at the end of their potential, and soon to be withdrawn from service. According to the format defined by the 2013 White Paper, it must see its fleet each decrease until reaching 185 combat aircraft, a format considered sufficient to ensure all missions, including nuclear deterrence missions, and permanently project 15 combat aircraft into external operations. On paper, therefore, the Air Force will have the necessary and sufficient means to fulfill its operational contract. Even with the withdrawal of the Mirage 2000 C and B, and that of the 12 planes Rafale intended for Greece, it will keep a capacity format consistent with that defined by the 2013 White Paper and the 2017 Strategic Review.

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