A Dassault Rafale Marine fighter of the French Navy was forced to land at Malta International Airport (MLA) following a refueling mishap.
The aircraft was operating from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The carrier recently deployed to the Mediterranean Sea for Mission Clemenceau 22, whose main goal is to support counterterrorism in the Middle East. It will also provide “reassurance and situation assessment measures” in the Black Sea, currently the stage of tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Late on February 6, 2022, the Rafale M broke the nozzle of its probe during mid-air refueling, preventing it from receiving the propellant it needed to return to the carrier, according to local defense media Horizon Malta. The jet diverted to Malta International Airport (MLA).
An NH-90 Caiman Marine helicopter was sent from the Charles de Gaulle to the airport, transporting a technical team capable of repairing and refueling the fighter. The two aircraft were then able to return to their carrier later in the night.
Source: Aerotime news
File photo: Dassault Rafale
