French AWACS Conducts Black Sea Reconnaissance Under Fighter Escort

A French E-3CF airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, escorted by Rafale fighter jets, conducted a reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea on March 12, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.

The mission took place over international waters and within the Flight Information Region (FIR) of Russia’s Rostov region. The operation involved the E-3CF AEW&C aircraft and an Airbus A330 MRTT aerial refueling tanker, both accompanied by two Dassault Rafale B fighter jets.

A similar operation was previously recorded on March 5, when an E-3CF conducted reconnaissance under the escort of a Dassault Mirage 2000D fighter and with support from a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.

France has expressed its willingness to share intelligence data with Ukraine, potentially complementing the support provided by the United States. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated in an interview with France Inter that France maintains sovereign intelligence capabilities and shares relevant information with Ukraine. However, he did not provide further details, and Ukrainian officials have not commented on the matter.

Earlier, a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 transported France’s CSO-3 military reconnaissance satellite to its launch site in French Guiana. The satellite, launched aboard an Ariane 6 rocket on March 6, enhances France’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, with advanced optical and infrared imaging.

France has previously shared reconnaissance data with Ukraine, and CSO-3’s capabilities could potentially support Ukrainian defense operations, especially as European allies explore further intelligence cooperation amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.