France sends Rafales on 40,000-km global mission to project power from Arctic to Indo-Pacific

France has launched a 40-day global air-power mission, sending Rafale fighter jets on a 40,000-kilometre journey across the Arctic, Indo-Pacific and Middle East in a major demonstration of its long-range military reach and strategic partnerships.According to the Associated Press, the Pegase 26 mission will involve four Rafales supported by three A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, two A400M transport aircraft and around 300 personnel. The deployment will cross three continents and include nine stopovers as French forces train and operate alongside strategic partners.The mission, which began from Istres air base in southern France on September 8, is designed to demonstrate France's ability to rapidly deploy combat aircraft far from its territory while maintaining operations through aerial refuelling and logistical support.French deputy defence minister Alice Rufo said the deployment is also intended to strengthen interoperability with partner countries.“In practical terms, we fly together, we land together, we work together,” Rufo said, adding that…