French Rafales Launch 40-Day, 40,000-Kilometre Global Mission

France has launched Pegase 26, a 40-day, roughly 40,000-kilometre air-power mission across three continents, with four Rafale fighter jets supported by tanker and transport aircraft and about 300 personnel. The deployment is intended to demonstrate France’s ability to project and sustain military power far from home, defend distant territories and support allies without relying entirely on forward bases. The mission includes exercises with the United States in Alaska and cooperation with strategic partners including India, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia before concluding in Egypt. French officials say the operation is also designed to improve interoperability and reinforce cooperation on air defense and international security.