Aviation

Dassault delivers first Rafale f4 to French air force

With the delivery of the first aircraft modified to the F4.1 standard to the French Air Force, the Dassault Rafale, the primary fighter jet of France, achieved a new milestone. The Military Aviation Expertise Center at Air Base 118 in Mont-de-Marsan received the first Rafale to the F4.1 standard on Thursday, March 2.

10 Most Expensive Fighter Jets In The World(Opens in a new browser tab)

The Rafale F4.1 standard is the latest version of the Rafale fighter jet developed by the French company Dassault Aviation. This upgrade is a step ahead of the previous F3R standard and includes several improvements in terms of capability, versatility, and connectivity.

One of the key upgrades in the Rafale F4.1 is the integration of the new Meteor air-to-air missile, which has a longer range and improved performance compared to its predecessors. The Rafale F4.1 also features improved connectivity with other aircraft, ground stations, and satellites, which allows for better coordination and situational awareness in the battlefield.

Indian Navy to buy Rafale M fighter plane after IAF?(Opens in a new browser tab)

Another major improvement is the integration of the Talios targeting pod, which provides high-resolution imagery and laser designation for precision strikes. The Rafale F4.1 also includes enhancements to the aircraft’s electronic warfare system, which increases its ability to detect and respond to threats. Other upgrades in the Rafale F4.1 include improvements to the cockpit displays and controls, upgrades to the engines and avionics, and improvements to the aircraft’s airframe and maintenance systems.

The first steps in the development of the F4 standard were taken in 2019, when Dassault and then-Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly agreed to a €2 billion ($2.12 billion) deal. Pilots will be supported by a significant technical advance in the future’s high-intensity wars. Based on the arrival of a second Rafale F4.1 by next week, the device will go undergo a number of trial stages in the upcoming months.

Aviation

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

United Airlines Brings Holiday Cheer with Free North Pole Flights

Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

Top 10 World’s Busiest Airports of 2024

The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly