Dassault/Dornier

ALPHA JET

German attempts to provide Poland with 40 secondhand Alpha Jets from its own inventory were thwarted by the Polish Government. The Government's predictable preference was to support the indigenous PZL Iryda trainer programme. Portugal has received 50, while Germany is retaining around 30 for training.

Austria, Greece and Morocco have also expressed interest in secondhand German air force aircraft, although without any firm agreements being reached. The Alpha Jet remains under consideration, as well as the British Aerospace Hawk, to meet an Indian air force requirement. Six versions of the Franco/ German Alpha Jet have been built or offered. The advanced-trainer/light-attack Alpha Jet E was produced for the French air force and several export customers, including Egypt.

Close-support Alpha Jet As, built for the German air force, have been withdrawn from service as part of cutbacks.

The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet was first flown on 26 October, 1973. Principal customers were the air arms of the partner countries, the French air force taking 176 between 1978 and 1985, and the German air force 175 between 1979 and 1983. Egypt assembled 37 Alpha Jets between 1982 and 1985.

Source: Flight International