The Quest for Relevant Air Power

130 │ French Air Force
Interoperability is further facilitated by the introduction of
Link-16 terminals. 308 Aside from the Rafale, the Mirage 2000-5 and
Mirage 2000D were planned to be retrofitted with MIDS Link-16
terminals in 2008 and 2009, respectively. 309 France has played a
particularly prominent role in the multinational MIDS development
programme by covering 26.5 per cent of the costs involved. 310
With regard to ISTAR, the FAF relied upon a broad range of
sensors throughout the post–Cold War era. For instance, it used
to operate two types of SIGINT aircraft, the C-160NG Gabriel
and the DC-8 Sarigue. In 1999 the Sarigue aircraft was replaced
by another DC-8 Sarigue NG (nouvelle génération or new generation)
with enhanced systems. 311 Yet due to exceedingly high
maintenance costs, the Sarigue NG was retired in 2004. 312 On the
positive side, the 2003–8 military planning law announced development
programmes in the field of electronic warfare, particularly
standoff jamming—if possible, through European cooperation.
313 These steps are aimed to remedy a European shortfall
that had become particularly apparent against the backdrop of
Operation Allied Force.
For tactical reconnaissance, the FAF’s Mirage F1 CR proved to
be a versatile aircraft due to the fusion of radar, infrared, and conventional
wet film systems. 314 In the wake of the decommissioning
of the Mirage IV, used as a strategic reconnaissance aircraft in the
post–Cold War era, the FAF introduced new reconnaissance pods
for the Mirage F1 CR, followed by a new system for the Rafale, the
Reco-NG, from 2009 onwards. The Reco-NG integrates a data
link capable of real-time imagery. 315
In the field of RPAs, the FAF has taken a gradual approach that
has been marked by a number of setbacks in the post–Cold War
era. Beginning in 1995, four Hunter systems were procured from
Israel to jointly evaluate performances and requirements for RPAs.
In 2000 the Hunter systems were put under the authority of the
FAF, which had employed them in Kosovo. The systems were retired
in September 2004 and intended to be replaced by an interim
system, the Harfang SIDM (système intérimaire de drone MALE or
interim MALE RPA system). 316 The Harfang SIDM is based upon
an Israeli cell, with the avionics originally developed jointly by
France and the Netherlands. Due to delays, however, the Netherlands
pulled out of the programme. 317 Although the Harfang SIDM