French Air and Space Force starts Pegase 2022 mission in Asia-Pacific.

The intrinsic qualities of air power are responsiveness, power and reach. It is indeed the combination of the performance of the aircraft and the potential for movement offered by its environment of evolution which make the air force this military tool with a strategic character so marked. Beyond the use of force from  the air, it makes it possible to carry out actions of cooperation and representation abroad, which falls within the framework of air diplomacy. In a broad sense, air power makes it possible to signify the will or even the determination of political decision-makers. For the second consecutive year the French army of Air and Space will demonstrate this singularity in August 2022 during the PEGASE mission.

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3 Rafale, 2 A330 MRTT and 2 A400M reached New Caledonia in 72 hours as part of the power projection called “Henri Brown”. (Picture source: Julien Fetcher / Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace)

The Air and Space Force frequently conducts power projection operations. This year, she will carry out, at the start from France, between August 10 and September 18 2022, a continuum of large-scale activities, in Asia-Pacific. This operation, called PEGASE 2022, is made up of three phases distinct:

■ relying on an aerial system composed exclusively of heritage resources (3 Rafale, 2 A330 MRTT PHENIX and 2 A400M ATLAS), the first will consist of a power projection mission (Henri BROWN) conducted to New Caledonia, in less than 72 hours, in order to carry out a training action combat carried out in a multi-media-multi-field setting;

■ for the second phase, combat aircraft as well as an A330 MRTT redeployed to Australia, and joined by a CN 235-200 CASA from the Armed Forces of New Caledonia, implemented by some 150 airmen will take part in the exercise high intensity multinational PITCH BLACK 22 organized by the Royal Australian Air Force and this, to interact with 5th generation aircraft and consolidate interoperability with partners in the area;

■ finally, on departure from Darwin on September 11, 3 Rafale, 2 A330 MRTT, 1 A400M and a detachment of 170 personnel will complete two enhanced stages in Indonesia and Singapore with the objectives of carrying out diplomatic actions air and radiation of know-how French, to interact with French nationals and to carry out cooperation actions operational with local air forces.

The final stage back to France will be carried out at United Arab Emirates, at Al Air Base 104 Dhafra, France's main point of support in the Middle East since 2008.

The Pégase mission of aerial deployment to more of 18,000 km from mainland France is part of the continuity of the 2021 deployment (Heifara) and Pegasus 2018.

Mission map of PEGASE 2022  (Picture source: French Air and Space Force)

NEW CALEDONIA: HENRI BROWN

Leaving from mainland France, three Rafales and one MRTT reached New Caledonia after two stopovers. A device accompanied by support resources: an MRTT and two A400Ms. An unprecedented projection called Henri Brown.

The Armed Forces of New Caledonia (FANC) are part of the French sovereignty forces based in overseas communities.As such, they contribute to the exercise of French sovereignty and to the preservation of France's interests in this region. The FANC's permanent area of ​​responsibility comprises the New Caledonia maritime zone, with the territories, territorial waters and airspace included in the perimeter, in particular those of Australia and New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands, as well as the territory of New Caledonia, its dependencies and Walis and Futuna.

Combat tool of the Air and Space Force in the South Pacific, air base 186 "Lieutenant Paul Klein" in New Caledonia hosts, among others, the transport squadron (ET) "Tontouta" , which uses two Casa CN-235-200 tactical transport aircraft (ATT) and three Puma helicopters. FANC aircraft guarantee the protection of the national territory, support for the population, particularly during natural disasters, and drive regional cooperation from the territory of New Caledonia. They constitute the main air-land support point of the Pacific theater, in conjunction with the Armed Forces in French Polynesia (FAPF).

Deployed around the world, the Casa and Puma of the Air and Space Force play a major role with prepositioned forces and sovereignty forces. They are part of the mixed transport squadrons, seagoing units with the particularity of having both transport planes with significant elongation and helicopters allowing access to isolated areas. Their crews operate in a dense and varied environment, in desert or tropical environments. Search and rescue, air transport, fight against illegal gold panning (Guyana), airdropping, support for humanitarian operations, medical evacuation, intelligence support or fire support, so many missions entrusted to them.

“SOUTH CROSS” EXERCISE:

Organized every two years since 2002, the “Southern Cross” exercise is one of the most important training exercises in the South Pacific. Combined and joint exercise, it brings together a multinational force. It simulates a major deployment following a natural disaster such as the passage of a cyclone. The last edition carried out in 2018 is the largest ever organized. It mobilized more than 2,000 men and women and no less than thirteen aircraft (on the French side: three Casa, two Pumas from the Air and Space Force, two Guardian; on the New Zealand side: a C- 130 and two NH90s, as well as an Australian C-27J).

The aircraft reached New Caledonia after two stopovers in India and Australia (Picture source: Julien Fetcher / Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace)

MAJOR SOUTH PACIFIC EXERCISE: PITCH BLACK

From August 17 to September 10, 2022, the Air and Space Force is taking part in the biennial “Pitch Black” exercise in Australia with three Rafales (two Rafales B and one Rafale C), an MRTT Phénix tanker aircraft and a Casa CN-235 of the Armed Forces of New Caledonia (FANC). Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), 'Pitch Black' is conducted from Darwin and Tindal airbases. Amberley base, located near Ipswich, is also included in the exercise this year. It will serve as a support point for the supply ships. This three-week multinational exercise aims to train crews for the first entry mission against a power state. In addition, it contributes to the operational readiness of our crews and strengthens military cooperation with the ten participating States. France and Australia are thus developing their interoperability between the latest generation fighters (F-35/Rafale), essential for winning high-intensity conflicts together.

"Pitch Black” 2022 welcomes up to 2,500 participants from all over the world: Australia, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, Philippines, Thailand, United Arab Emirates , Canada, Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States. Significantly, Germany, Japan and South Korea will participate fully for the first time.

TWO VALUED STAGES: INDONESIA AND SINGAPORE
At the end of the “Pitch Black” exercise, the Air and Space Force will carry out the PEGASE mission. Departing from Darwin on September 11, three Rafales, two A330 MRTTs, an A400M and a detachment of 170 personnel will carry out two enhanced stages in Indonesia and Singapore with the aim of carrying out air diplomacy actions and promoting French know-how. , to interact with French nationals and to conduct operational cooperation actions with local air forces.

This projection strengthens France's presence and diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region and shows that the Air and Space Force fully participates in our country's missions of influence. It promotes our air power projection capabilities and our defense aeronautics industry to our main partners. By displaying the tricolor cockade, the Air and Space Force shows France's attachment to the freedom of air navigation in compliance with international law and in strict neutrality. This mission also contributes to the influence of the Air and Space Force, promotes France's strategic partnerships with Australia, and offers opportunities for bilateral cooperation with allies.

Focus on Indonesia:

Indonesia has been a strategic partner of France since 2011. The signing of the Rafale and A400M contracts announces a strengthening of interactions between France and Indonesia. A bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement was signed on June 28, 2021, helping to strengthen the dynamic of cooperation between France and Indonesia. Our military cooperation with the Indonesian army is enhanced with the aim of strengthening our bilateral defense relationship over the long term.

The Air and Space Force and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU: Indonesian Air Force) have similar means: Rafale, Caracal, A400M, and recently with GM403 radars (contract signed on May 17, 2022).

France maintains a regular defense relationship with Indonesia. Indonesia is a partner with the Armed Forces of New Caledonia (FANC). The Indonesian armies thus participated in "Croix du Sud" ("Southern Cross") as an observer in 2018, in Nouméa. Their participation in the 2023 edition is confirmed. Regional exercises with the FANC and SOUTEX (export support) are vectors for the development of this cooperation.

Focus on Singapore:

Driven by the presence of 150 Squadron at Air Base 120 in Cazaux for more than 20 years, cooperation with Singapore has been intensified thanks to the choice of aircraft and similar means with France (MRTT, Caracal and Aster 30) and joint participation in the fight against Daesh in the Levant (French Rafale supplied by Singaporean KC-135s).

This dynamic country, which has the most modern armed forces in the region, has been a strategic partner since 2012: geographical position, close relations with the United States and China on the one hand, privileged ties with Malaysia and India on the other hand. As the main military partner within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Singapore occupies a key position within the Indo-Pacific. As part of the implementation of our strategy, a logistics support agreement (MLSA), signed during the Shangri-La dialogue (June 2022), strengthens the airport and maritime facilities from which our forces benefit and gives Singapore a major role as a fulcrum for our operations in the area. Our status as a “power of balance” is welcomed.

The Air and Space Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF: Singapore Air Force) have made choices of aircraft and similar means: MRTT, Caracal and Super Puma, mobile radars GM 200 aerial surveillance, ASTER 30 missiles. The MRTT fleet reached full operational capacity in April 2021. It is being modernized and should be equipped by 2024 with the "smart MRTT" capability allowing automated in-flight refueling . The signing of a global mutual recognition agreement for airworthiness standards took place in February 2018. Singapore is a member of the MRTT User Team.

The cooperation is structured around:

· The presence of the 150SQN on the BA 120 (Cazaux) for more than 20 years (12 M-346);
· The Pégase mission 2018 and 2022 In the field of operational cooperation, the RSAF deployed a KC-135R to Qatar in 2016 then in 2017, and most recently from April to June 2018 for the benefit of the coalition engaged in the fight against Daesh.