French Air Force transport aircraft perform in the skies over Vietnam
On the afternoon of August 27, the French Air Force's A400M transport aircraft took off from Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi), performing a demonstration flight over the skies of Vietnam.
Previously, French Air Force (Armeé de l'Air) aircraft, including 3 Rafale fighter jets, 1 A400M transport aircraft and 1 A310 aircraft, landed at Noi Bai airport on the afternoon of August 26 after taking off from Malaysia to begin their visit to Vietnam. More than 100 members of the French flight crew had an exchange program with Vietnamese partners on the morning of August 27. In the afternoon of the same day, the French Air Force's A400M transport aircraft performed a demonstration flight over Vietnam's skies with a number of guests.
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| A400M transport aircraft prepares to perform in the sky over Vietnam on the afternoon of August 27. |
The visit of French Air Force aircraft to Vietnam and some Asian countries is part of the Pegase 2018 campaign to demonstrate the maintenance of the readiness of the French Air Force in places around the world, along with respect for international law and freedom of aviation. This campaign is also said to be aimed at marketing to Asian countries about Rafale fighter jets and A400M military transport aircraft.
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| Guests board the A400M. |
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| A400M takes off for a demonstration flight. |
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| The A400M's cargo compartment is very spacious, 4 m wide, 3.85 m high, 17.7 m long; it can carry 110 soldiers or up to 37 tons of cargo. |
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| A400M technical inspection after landing |
An interesting detail shared by international websites is the image of French air force personnel wearing Vietnamese conical hats while guiding Rafale fighters to their parking positions at Noi Bai airport.
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| French air force personnel wearing conical hats guide Rafale fighter jets to their parking positions at Noi Bai airport on the afternoon of August 26. |
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| Close-up of conical hats used by French air force personnel. |
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| Rafale fighters are in position. |
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| Vietnamese and French soldiers take souvenir photos next to French air force planes. |
On August 29, French Air Force planes will leave Vietnam for Singapore, then visit India before returning to France.
