SEAD capability abandoned in the 1990s

General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Forces, criticized the abandonment of the SEAD capability in the 1990s, which relied on the Jaguar bomber and the AS-37 MARTEL anti-radar missile. He described this as a "stupidly abandoned" key aspect of air force operations.

Air superiority no longer guaranteed

Bellanger noted that air superiority is no longer a given, emphasizing the need to recover the SEAD capability as soon as possible. He pointed to the future Rafale F5 upgrade, which will have advanced targeting systems and be armed with the Stratus RS anti-radar missile, expected to be operational by 2035.

Current means for SEAD

Until the Rafale F5 is ready, the Air and Space Forces are using existing tools, such as the ASTAC pod, which processes in-flight data to identify enemy air defenses. The ASTAC, originally used on the Mirage F1, was adapted for the Mirage 2000D at a cost of ten million euros.

New electronic warfare aircraft

The Air and Space Forces are also acquiring three Falcon ARCHANGE aircraft, next-generation electronic warfare planes. The first is expected to be delivered by the end of 2028, enhancing their ability to gather intelligence on enemy air defenses.

Data transmission and limitations

The Mirage 2000D can transmit data to create a tactical picture of enemy air defenses, but it cannot neutralize them. To address this, the Air and Space Forces are relying on the A2SM XLR, a new version of Safran's air-to-surface weapon with a range of 140 km, set to be operational from 2028.

A2SM XLR's technological improvements

The A2SM XLR features a mini jet engine instead of traditional propellant, allowing a longer range while maintaining the weapon’s shape. Its navigation software will be updated to account for the increased range, as explained by engineer Arvind Badrinath in Air Fan.

Non-kinetic SEAD capabilities

While General Bellanger did not explicitly mention non-kinetic methods, Carnets de vols discussed the potential of electromagnetic jamming from various platforms. These actions could complement traditional kinetic strikes in neutralizing enemy air defenses.