Four Rafale F4s, supported by three A330 MRTTs and two A400Ms, stopped over at Hyakuri Air Base during the latest edition of the PEGASE long-range airpower projection mission.
The Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (AAE) aircraft were deployed as part of PÉGASE 26, the seventh edition of France’s long-range air-power projection mission. The deployment began on Sept. 8, 2026, and will continue until Oct. 15, covering more than 40,000 kilometers over approximately 40 days.
#PEGASE26
C’est parti pour la branche vers le Japon. Après un dernier briefing, les équipages se lancent actuellement dans la branche Pacifique de la mission.
日本の友人の皆さん、今行くよ！🇯🇵🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/5iG2ctCth1
— Escadrons de Chasse français (@EscadronsChasse) September 13, 2026
The French entourage includes a single-seat Rafale C, three twin-seat Rafale Bs, three Airbus A330 MRTT Phénix tanker aircraft, two Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft and approximately 300 personnel.
They spent seven days in Japan, beginning with their arrival on Sep. 14 and ending with their departure on Sep. 20. The four days spanning from Sept. 15 to 18 were dedicated training days, which saw the Rafales training with and against the local F-2s of the JASDF’s 3rd TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron).
空自🇯🇵と仏航空宇宙軍🇫🇷は国内で共同訓練を実施し、両国の防衛協力・交流の深化を図りました。 pic.twitter.com/ekDWn82OEx
— 防衛省 航空自衛隊 (@JASDF_PAO) September 18, 2026
The MRTT and A400Ms similarly participated in training sorties, most notably on the photo-mission flown around Mount Fuji on Sept. 18. Two Rafale Bs and a single MRTT also deployed to the ROKAF’s (Republic of Korea Air Force) Cheongju Air Base from Sept. 15 to Sept. 17, and conducted an overhead flypast in formation with their tanker upon return to Hyakuri.
Unfortunately, the visit coincided with the arrival of Typhoon Dujuan, which saw torrential rain and gusts around the capital region of Kanto. Regardless of the rainfall, which continued from the Oct. 15 to 20, the French flew daily sorties – further demonstrating the AdlA’s capabilities as an all-weather air force able to project combat aircraft over intercontinental distances in a short period of time.
本日9/17の百里基地
韓国から戻られた３機。
戦闘機と給油機のフォーメーションも珍しい。
それにしても、旅客機ベースとはいえ、給油機は優美・・・#百里基地 #フランス航空宇宙軍 #ラファール #Rafale #French_Air_Force #PEGASE26 pic.twitter.com/zDzrgvPlDj
— y yama (@yyama198237) September 17, 2026
This year’s PEGASE marks the third time that the AAE deployed Rafales to Japan. Previously, Rafales visited the country during the PEGASE 2023 deployment to Nyutabaru Air Base in western Japan and the Pacific Skies 2024 deployment to Hyakuri.
However, this year’s deployment was a notable first in that the Rafales were of F4 standard, whereas they were of F3 standard in previous years. The F4 standard has significant improvements on the onboard systems and avionics of the airplane.
After leaving Japan, the contingent flew to Indonesia, which recently started taking delivery of its own Rafales. The PEGASE 2026 deployment will later carry on to India, Qatar, and Egypt in the following weeks.
