[ad_1]
The Greek Rafale will come fully equipped – Its powerful weaponry, the most capable radar, and the superior self-defense and electronic warfare system – How military and political leaders avoid the mistakes of the past.
After almost two months of military tension, with Greece and Turkey on the brink of conflict, attention has shifted to the diplomatic “thriller” of recent days, with the “great powers” and the Erdogan regime, of course, wanting lead Greece at the negotiating table, opening all fans to Turkish demands.
But beyond the diplomatic field, where effervescence reigns, Our country is moving very fast in planning the next day for the Armed Forces. After all, the Turkish aggression is forcing Athens to act quickly, so that the implementation of the weapons program can move forward quickly.
A key government priority is the acquisition of weapons systems that are operationally ready. The second is to strengthen the personnel of the Armed Forces and the third is to strengthen our defense industry.
In regards to weapons systems, Our country has set as a goal the immediate acquisition of next-generation Rafale 4.5 fighters, wanting in the coming years to make the Greek Air Force dominant in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. The introduction of an aircraft as advanced as the Rafale, and indeed in the latest versions of the F3R, means that The Air Force acquires a weapon of strategic importance, with unique capabilities.
In a few months, Rafale (“gust of wind”, in Greek) will be the new fighter in Greece, with 18 aircraft dress in blue and white. Of these, the 12 will be used lightlya, with a few hours of flight, and the 6 will be new, and it will come straight from the Dassault factory. At the same time, its arrival will take out of service the 17 old, but still reliable, Mirage 2000EGM, which will be sold again to the French company.
They come with all the … goodies!
According to the information, the political and military leadership, during the negotiations with the French for the acquisition of Rafale, made it absolutely clear that the planes must arrive in Greece overcrowded internally (complete electronic warfare system) and carry with them all the “tools” necessary to do their job.
The Greek side highlighted this because in previous years, Our country bought planes that arrived in Greece with insufficient weapons or without some basic systems. Therefore, it was repeatedly pointed out to the French that this should not happen again in the case of the Rafales.
The decision to acquire Rafale meets our Air Force’s ongoing operational requirements for a modern dual-role multi-role fighter., with a wide range of action, weapons transport and the latest generation of sensors and electronics that give a clear advantage to the Greek-Turkish conflict. This means that it can simultaneously perform missions of different types, such as air superiority, impact, reconnaissance, etc.
It has a combination of Delta type wing and maneuvering fins (canards), which gives it exceptional flexibility and at the same time maintains stability during flight. It can take off from small runways on the order of 400 meters., as well as by aircraft carriers. This is possible by replacing approximately 20% of the aircraft’s parts with others of greater resistance, Rafale M.
The basic features of the Rafale follow in the footsteps of modern combat aircraft. Led by a control system using technology fly-by-wire three digital channels and one analog, the aircraft is allowed to be aerodynamically unstable to achieve maximum possible flexibility. The acceleration limits of the aircraft are + 9g / -3.2g.
Although without clear aspirations to be characterized as stealth, the Rafale has been designed in terms of shape and materials of construction to have as low a radar trace as possible. Part of this design is the SPECTRA electronic warfare and self-defense system.
Following your electronic equipment, The aircraft carries Thales’ RBE2 radar, which is capable of tracking multiple targets in the air at the same time. At the same time, you can create 3D land maps for real-time navigation or orientation.
In addition, if the shipment requires it, Rafale has the ability to track a target and launch an air-to-air missile without having to reveal its location, thanks to Thales’ OSF system. This system is fully integrated into the aircraft and works with infrared technology.
Too, The Rafales are certified for AM.39 Exocet, while they would have no problem carrying ASTAC. Of course, the Greek Rafale would be “armed” from scratch, as the AP has a sufficient number of MICA ER / IRs in its arsenal. The Air Force intends to include the MICA ER / IRA stock in a weapons upgrade program, with new GPS and inertial guidance systems, and certainly the ability of the Rafale to carry two weapons, with two or even three tanks, and 4 or 6 air-to-air missiles make it a superior strategic attack fighter. Combined with the best capabilities of its AESA radar, the Rafale will be the perfect storm for Turkish air defense, whether you have an S400 or an S500.
However, it is extremely important that Greece will also receive the incredible Meteors, which provide the opportunity to attack at incredibly long distances, thus making enemy flying radars and the KC-135R candidates for a quick “exit” from the hot Aegean. What has impressed is the huge 60km NO Escape (No Escape Zone), which means that in case it is thrown at a shorter distance, the target has no chance or hope to escape.
According to the magazine “Flight and Space”, the Air Force makes a second surprise (after Meteor), since it proceeds to purchase of AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) HAMMER (Highly Agile Extended Range Modular Ammunition). AASMs are “stupid bomb” guidance kits with the use of a propulsion system and a maximum range of 50km, if dropped from a great height. There is no information about the version that Greece will buy, that is, whether it will be autonomous guided with infrared sensor or laser guided.
To manage its systems, Rafale uses a “glass cockpit”, with three multifunction displays (MFD), holographic HUD and HOTAS side control.
For its propulsion, Rafale uses two SCECMA M88-2 turbochargers with afterburning with a total thrust of 150 kN.
At Rafale Base, Greek pilots and engineers
The chance to see up close and have a first … taste of the capabilities of French fighters. BurstIt will have Greek pilots and engineers.
Our Air Force is “present” in the large-scale aeronautical exercise “VOLFA 2020Held in the south of France, which began on September 21 and will end on October 9.
A total of forty aircraft (fighter, helicopter and unmanned) from Greece, France, Belgium and Spain participate in the aeronautical exercise “VOLFA 2020”. With a common motto “Train while you fight” There will be at least 20 different battle scenarios day and night and will include reconnaissance, defense and air support missions, as well as ground attack missions.
It is the first time, after the announcement of the acquisition of 18 new generation French Rafale fighters, that Greek pilots and engineers will be able to get a closer look at the operational capabilities of the aircraft. who will join the quiver of the Greek Armed Forces in the coming months.
In fact, during the exercise, the Greek pilots of the F-16 Block 50 will operate alongside the Rafale fighters that are destined for the Greek Air Force, since the used aircraft that we will acquire from France come from two French Squadrons that will be They are based at 118 Air Base, in Mont De Marsan.
According to military sources, “it is a picture of the immediate future”, since in a few months the French hawks will be painted blue and white and will operate together with the F-16s over the Aegean..
Naturally, the Greek pilots and engineers Constantly asking your French colleagues about the Rafale’s capabilities., the advantages, the weapons and everything that arouses your interest in the latest generation French aircraft. Apparently, all the information they will collect will go to the Air Force leadership, which is awaiting comments and observations on the coexistence of Rafale and F-16.
It should be noted that the participation of Greece in the great aeronautical exercise “VOLFA 2020” reaffirms the intention of Athens and Paris to deepen military cooperation.
Watch all the latest news from Greece and the world, as it happens, on Newsbomb.gr
Read also:
Erdogan points to Kastelorizo: They want to trap us on our shores with an island of 10 square kilometers.
