GEN-FAM PHOTOGRAPHY

An22 in Evreux

On 16 Novembre 2016 in Evreux, the Air base 105 hosted a rare and impressive event: the landing of an Antonov An-22A, one of the largest turboprop aircraft ever built. This Soviet aircraft, nicknamed "Antei," is renowned for its ability to carry heavy and bulky loads, with a wingspan of 64.4 meters and a length of 57.3 meters.

Arriving from Africa, the Antonov An-22A flew over the Evreux region before touching down on the runway at Evreux Airport. This type of landing is exceptional, as the An-22A is rarely seen in France.The Antonov An-22A, introduced in 1967, is a military transport aircraft designed to carry heavy loads. It has set 27 international payload records and remains one of the heaviest production turboprop aircraft ever built.

A vital partnership

Faced with a lack of sufficient strategic airlift capabilities, France has resorted to external contracts through NATO, notably with the Ukrainian company Antonov Logistics SALIS. This partnership has helped compensate for the lack of large aircraft available within the French army.

Essential Logistics

Despite these challenges, Antonovs continued to provide rotations to the Sahel, complementing the French Airbus A400Ms, which, although more modern, have a lower payload capacity (30 tons compared to 120 tons for the An-124). This complementarity was essential to maintain the effectiveness of operations on the ground.

Conclusion

The Antonov Design Bureau contract was a major asset for Operation Barkhane, overcoming logistical constraints related to distance and the nature of the equipment deployed. However, recent geopolitical events have highlighted France's dependence on external partners for its strategic airlift capabilities. This situation underscores the importance of reflecting on the logistical autonomy of the French armed forces for future operations.

Articles