Will the force be with VADER?
France has two VADER aircraft in service with a third expected in 2023. (Photo: Jean-Marc Tanguy)
The first ISTAR aircraft developed by the French Air and Space Force will be sent to Mali in July.
For eight years France has leased light ISR aircraft from CAE Aviation for operations in the Sahel as well as in the Central African Republic, Iraq and Libya.
However, starting in July 2021 the French Air and Space Force expects to deploy its own light surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft (based on the Beechcraft King Air 350) under the overdue Vecteur Aéroporté de Détection, d’Orientation et de Reconnaissance (VADER) programme, formerly known as ALSR.
Two King Air 350s were delivered in July 2020 by Sabena Technics and Thales under a contract dating from June 2016.
A third, scheduled for delivery
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Should the US be concerned about the state of its nuclear arsenal?]()
Should the US be concerned about the state of its nuclear arsenal?
“We are going to get spare parts out of museums,” warns a former commander of USSTRATCOM.
-
![Reiser secures new NH90 Sea Tiger maintenance training contract]()
Reiser secures new NH90 Sea Tiger maintenance training contract
The training and simulation company’s new contract for the German Navy will replicate its NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter, which is set to join the fleet in 2025.
-
![Sweden confirms spares for 14 Gripen fighters set for Ukraine]()
Sweden confirms spares for 14 Gripen fighters set for Ukraine
Sweden defence minister Pål Jonson said that the materials provided for 14 Gripen aircraft were part of a larger package.
-
![Lockheed Martin and DoD move closer to agreement on F-35 Lots 18 and 19]()
Lockheed Martin and DoD move closer to agreement on F-35 Lots 18 and 19
The formal contract is expected before the end of 2024. Lockheed Martin stated in October 2024 that negotiations surrounding the Lots 18 and 19 were still underway.
