Paraguayan Air Force receives four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft
Six Super Tucano aircraft were ordered in July 2024, with Paraguay the fifth South American country to add the aircraft to modernise its fleet.
France and UK eye mutual benefits from potential RAF secondments
French Air and Space Force KC-130J flown by the Rhin-Rheine Squadron based in Normandy. (Photo: Jean-Marc Tanguy)
Could the RAF transfer crews from soon-to-be-retired platforms to France in a new example of cross-Channel collaboration?
Shephard has learned that initial staff-level feasibility discussions are taking place between the RAF and French Air and Space Force with a view to sending UK crews on secondment to France.
A number of RAF platforms — notably the Puma HC2 helicopter, E-3D Sentry and C-130J Super Hercules — will be phased out in the next few years, while the same aircraft will remain in service for longer in France.
Secondment seems an elegant solution for both countries: it would save France the expense of training pilots and aircrew, while the RAF crews would retain flying time while they
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