New French Aerial Mission Over the Black Sea Involves Tanker Deployment

A new French mission is currently (10:00 CEST) underway over the Black Sea. Two French Air Force tankers took off from Istres Air Base in southern France—specifically, a Boeing C-135R (reg. 574) and an Airbus A330 MRTT (reg. F-UJCM)—and are now operating over eastern Romania. The Airbus A330 MRTT is currently orbiting near the coast.

No other aircraft are currently trackable, but the A330 MRTT performed an in-flight refueling south of the French coastline, most likely with aircraft it then escorted to the Black Sea area. While the exact type of aircraft remains unknown, it is likely that they are Rafale or Mirage 2000D jets, possibly equipped with SIGINT pods, conducting a surveillance mission over the Black Sea—something that has occurred in the past.

It is worth noting that for the C-135R, which is due to be retired from service by the Armée de l’Air, this may be one of its final operational missions.