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The Transall C160 is a twin-engined military transport aircraftwith a medium range. With its high wing layout and rugged landinggear, the aircraft has short take off and landing capabilitiesand can operate from unprepared strips. The C160 has apressurized fuselage and aft loading ramp, with side doors forparachuting.

Working alongside the DGA, the French Air force has made maximumuse of the aircraft’s versatility in service by introducing anumber of specific developments on the Transall C160 to enable itto undertake new roles.

Transall roles are:

  Logistic and tactical transport (C160 F/R, C160 F/R"NG")
  In-flight refuelling (C160 F/R "NG")
  Intelligence gathering (C160 G)
  Communications relay (C160 H).

A mid-life update program was undertaken in the 1990s to fit theaircraft with digital avionics and a night vision gogglecapability. The updated aircraft were re-designated C 160 R.Another program was to equip part of the fleet with aself-protection system (armour, RWR, missile arrival, flares).This was completed in 1999.