Two French “Rafale” fighters of the aircraft

PARIS– Around 18 two French “Rafale” fighters of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle crashed into the Mediterranean during a training mission. The accident occurred 50 kilometers east of Perpignan, on the border with Spain. This was announced by the French Navy, which also declared that one of the two pilots was recovered “alive and conscious”, while the second is still lost at sea. “Air and water vehicles were immediately deployed in the area to look for the two pilots, one of whom was rescued”, explains the note issued by the Navy “The search operations are continuing to find the second pilot”. The Rafale, a super-sophisticated fighter made by the French company Dassault, is not yet sold abroad, but is the favorite for a contract of 36 aircraft from Brazil.

September 24 2009