French Air Force Rafale Fighter Jets Collide Midair Over Northeast France; Two Pilots Dead In The Accident

In a rare accident, two French Rafale fighter jets collided midair on Wednesday (14 August) over northeastern France.

While one pilot managed to eject safely during the crash, two other pilots of the second jet, an instructor and a trainee, were killed in the accident.

The two Rafale jets involved in the collision were stationed at the Saint-Dizier air base, according to an air force spokesperson in Paris.

In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron mourned the loss of two military personnel namely Captain Sébastien Mabire and Lieutenant Matthis Laurens.

The cause of the midair collision remains unclear, with the incident reportedly taking place over Colombey-les-Belles, a town in northeastern France.

The Rafale is a versatile "multi-role" fighter jet, capable of engaging enemy aircraft, striking ground and sea targets, conducting reconnaissance, and carrying nuclear warheads.

It has also become a significant export success for the French defence industry.

The Rafale has been exported to several countries, including Egypt, India, Greece, Indonesia, Croatia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

In December 2007, a Rafale crashed near Neuvic in southwestern France, with investigators attributing the incident to pilot disorientation. This was reportedly the first crash involving a Rafale.

Another incident occurred in September 2009, when two Rafale jets crashed while returning to the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off the coast of Perpignan following a test flight. One pilot lost his life in the accident.

Also Read: Assam's Future Not Secure, Hindu-Muslim Population Balance Declining Fast: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma