The Royal Air Force have announced that one of their Voyager tankers has refuelled French Rafale jets flying from aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

The range of the aircraft flying from the Charles de Gaulle was extended with the help of British tankers.

According to a news release:

“The French jets are currently serving in the Middle East and are flying from the French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle.  The Rafale’s refuelled after completing their sortie and while returning to the carrier. The RAF together with the other coalition members regularly fly in support of each other to deliver Air Power as part of the ongoing campaign against Daesh.”

Lieutenant Colonel Matthieu, French Officer serving with at the Coalition Combined Air Operations Centre, was quoted as saying:

“Refuelling from the Voyager is the proof of the interoperability of our nations.  We are happy to share the sky and the same fighting spirit!”

Squadron Leader Train, Voyager Detachment Commander, was also quoted:

“The Voyager Force prides ourselves on being able to support our coalition partners.  In this case the RAF Voyager operationally refuelled the French Rafale M’s, as we come together and take the fight to Daesh.  It is essential that we practice Air-to-Air Refuelling with allied nations, such as the French, in a familiar low threat environment, before deploying into an operational theatre.  

During an Exercise the airspace threats are significantly lower, hence it’s a perfect opportunity to refine standard operating procedures.  This enables us to confirm and combine our efforts both in the air and on the ground before coming out to a higher risk airspace, as seen here across the Middle-East.”

The Charles de Gaulle and HMS Queen Elizabeth recently met up, you can read more about that here.

HMS Queen Elizabeth meets Charles de Gaulle

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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heroic
heroic
2 years ago

Funny how times have changed since the Euro, we used to cross by ferry just to fill up in France as it was so much cheaper, How do they pay ?

Sonik
Sonik
2 years ago
Reply to  heroic

I read somewhere about a settlement system for AAR. Apparently for airforces, gas is much cheaper if you buy it from the USA.

heroic
heroic
2 years ago
Reply to  Sonik

Oh so we buy it from the USA and sell it on to France at a profit after all the expenses. That’s a great way to trade post Brexit.

Sonik
Sonik
2 years ago
Reply to  heroic

Lol very good!

heroic
heroic
2 years ago
Reply to  Sonik

Would we be able to buy Russian Gas from Germany and sell it to the USA ? or are their Gas Prices too cheap ?

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  heroic

And why would we want to give a mafia state like Russia money?

Pete
Pete
2 years ago
Reply to  heroic

If it’s outside the 12 mile limit is it all done duty free….get a few extra yellow bags and fill up.

dan
dan
2 years ago
Reply to  Sonik

Not if you buy it in California. haha