Rafale fighter jets land in Darwin, ahead of French navy, RAAF training

After travelling more than 2000 kilometres across the sea, French navy commander Remi is keen to test his European fighter jet against Australia’s F-35 stealth jet in the tropical north.

Darwin is hosting a trio of Rafale fighter jets this week.

After travelling more than 2000 kilometres across the sea, French navy commander, Remi, is keen to test his European fighter jet against Australia’s tropical north.

On Tuesday evening, three Rafale fighter pilots, including Remi, touched down in Darwin after breaking away from their Carrier Strike Group, which is currently deployed off South Asia.

Less than 18 hours after arriving in Australia for the first time, Remi and his pilots will push the limits of their French-designed Rafale multirole fighter jet with a view to enhancing their ability to operate on the other side of the planet.

“It’s very important for us to be able to fly over land in the southern hemisphere from the aircraft carrier,” he said.

“We are also training a new section lead during this exercise and we will also be doing a lot of (training) on this kind of weather.”

For the next two days, the Australian F-35 Lightning II (left) and the French Rafale fighter jet (right) will train above Darwin.

The chance to work from solid ground also gives the French visitors more time to work alongside the F-35 Lightning II – an airframe that Remi has seen more frequently during NATO exercises back home.

“We see them a lot more in Europe now,” he said.

“We have opportunities to train with the F-35 in Europe and training with the Australian F-35 is a first (for me) so I’m looking forward to that.”

Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Jordon Sander said he was looking forward to tying in with his new French mates.

“We will start to uncover some basic integration lessons, for example, we talk in pounds of fuel and the French talk in terms of kilograms,” he said.

“That’s why we must train together, so when we need to fight together we can do it effectively.”

Squadron Leader Jordon Sander says he is looking forward to training alongside the “extremely capable” Rafale.

While its not the first time the Rafale fighter has graced the tarmac at RAAF Base Darwin, Squadron Leader Sander said he was looking forward to probing the European jet.

“It’s an amazing aircraft and we’re looking forward to fighting it,” he said.

“We don’t often get opportunities to train against different aircraft, so whenever we get that chance it's great for our crews and the Rafale jet is an extremely capable fighter.”

Unfortunately for Remi and his pilots, sightseeing Darwin will have to wait, with the French visitors planning to rejoin their Carrier Strike Group on Friday before setting course for the South China Sea.

However, the Territory’s French footprint will pick up again later this month when the French Navy’s second largest warship, the Jacques Chevallier, docks at HMAS Coonawarra ahead of security talks between Canberra and Paris.

Originally published as Rafale fighter jets land in Darwin, ahead of French navy, RAAF training