Général de division aérienneHe adds: "If further contractions in the operational resources continue, we see the concrete risk to dismiss one frontline aircraft component, possibly the [Alenia Aeronautica/Embraer] AMX."
The service's training assets are also likely to be affected, with this only partially compensated by the use of simulators. Bernadis says that the spending reduction trend could require short-term reduction of the Alenia Aermacchi MB-339 fleet, which would also affect the Frecce Tricolori display team. However, the Galatina flying school has been converted to attract international customers, and Bernadis says cadets from Algeria and Greece could undergo instruction this year.
Réduction de la flotte d'avions école, apport de cadets étrangers. Pour l'AMX, je ne saisis pas, ils vont les mettre au rencard ?
In the past three years, the air force has reduced its annual flying hours from more than 116,000 to just below 87,500 in 2008. And based on the latest budget reductions, it envisages operating two combat types in the medium to long term, with around 100 each of the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Réduction du nombre d'heures de vol… et à long terme, ils n'aligneraient plus que 100 Typhoon et 100 F-35 ( 60 F-35A et 40 F-35B STOL ) ?
In the transport sector, "the long-delayed delivery of the first or couple of [four] Boeing 767 tankers is expected to actually begin at the end of 2009", Bernadis says. Air force crews are preparing for the type's delayed availability using a 767 provided at no cost by Boeing. The service will also by mid-year receive its last of 12 Alenia Aeronautica C-27Js, with the tactical transport having made a successful operational debut in Afghanistan between September 2008 and January 2009.
General Atomics Predator A unmanned air vehicles have logged over 4,250 flight hours in Afghanistan and Iraq, and are now being upgraded. "We expect to receive the first of four Predator Bs by the end of 2009," Bernadis says, with initial operational capability to be declared in 2010 with three aircraft.
Le 12ème C-27 va être livré, de même qu'un des quatre systèmes Predator qu'ils ont commandé. Je sais aussi qu'ils ont commandé très récemment pour 900 M de systèmes MQ-9 Reaper…
The defence ministry is meanwhile looking to replace the air force's lone Alenia Aeronautica G222VS signals intelligence aircraft with two new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, which Bernadis says will be "based on [Gulfstream] G550 aircraft". Dubbed the joint airborne multi-sensor multi-mission system, the acquisition is awaiting parliamentary approval.
Deux appareils neufs pour remplacer leur antique G222 " spécial ".
Capitaine
Général de corps aérien
Adjudant
Commandant
Sous-lieutenant
