French military jets collide in midair, 2 dead

Two French military jets collided in midair over the country’s east on Wednesday, killing two military personnel and leaving a sole survivor, French officials said.

In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron identified the fatalities in the Rafale.

French media said one of the two was a trainee pilot and the other a pilot. French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on X that the remaining pilot survived.

The planes were based at the Saint-Dizier military installation in northeastern France.

The collision occurred near the town of Colombey-les-Belles, prompting an immediate search operation for the missing pilots. While one pilot from the first jet safely ejected and was found unharmed, the other two pilots aboard the second jet could not be saved.

The exact cause of the collision remains unclear, and military authorities are investigating the incident. Such accidents involving Rafale jets are exceedingly rare, given the aircraft’s advanced design and capabilities. The Rafale is a versatile, multi-role fighter jet that has become a cornerstone of France’s defence industry and a significant export to nations like Egypt, India, and Greece.

This accident comes as France continues to expand its fleet, with 42 new Rafale jets ordered for delivery starting in 2027. The tragedy also underscores the ongoing demands on France’s military as Europe seeks to strengthen its defence posture amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Reuters