Another upgrade program in the early 1990s fitted 27 of these aircraft with a new decoy system; a micro‐
computer‐based data processing system that could have hardly been imagined when the aircraft was new; a
datalink system; and other new avionics.
The last major upgrade took place in 1996‐97, again at Cuers‐Pierrefeu, and concerned 15 planes (former
ALMs) which were now called ALH (ALizé mis à Hauteur / Upgraded Alizé). They received a new automatic
pilot, new heading system and ESM. Despite the upgrades even with the Thomson‐CSF TTD Optronique
Chlio forward‐looking infrared (FLIR) imaging sensor, the Alizé was clearly not up to the task of hunting
modern nuclear submarines, their task was reduced to ocean surface patrol.
As late as 1997, the Aéronavale was still operating 24 examples for surface patrol, though they were clearly
on their way out by then. The Alizé was used operationally during the NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia
over Kosovo in the spring of 1999, with the aircraft flying off the carrier Foch. The last Alizé squadron was
finally disbanded on 15 September 2000 at NAS Nîmes‐Garons, with the retirement of the aircraft carrier
Foch. The squadron was replaced by three E‐2C Hawkeye II. India, which was the only other user of this na‐
val aircraft in the world, decommissioned their aircraft in April 1991.
During the Alizé’s operation history the aircraft operated from the French
aircraft carriers; Arromanches, Clémenceau and Foch, and were also used in
shore‐based training. The Indian Navy operated the Alizé from shore bases
and from the light carrier Vikrant. The Alizé was used for reconnaissance
and ASW patrol during the Indo‐Pakistani War of 1971, during which one
Alizé was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force F‐104 Starfighter.
The Alizé main missions evolved with the passing years were:
‐Anti‐submarine warfare
‐Maritime situation control
Surface surveillance
‐Air‐to‐ground observation and guidance
‐Electronic Intelligence
‐Radio relay
‐C‐SAR airborne relay
‐Sea rescue
‐Maritime pollution prevention.
The aircraft carrier Foch (R‐99) during
exercise Dragon Hammer '92, with 6 Alizé
onboard. It was the second Clemenceau
class aircraft carrier of the French Navy. In
operation from 1963 to 2000. The vessel
was sold to Brazil and renamed São Paulo.
US. Navy photo
Alizé warming up on the
deck of the carrier Foch.
Courtesy of Association ‘Alizé Marine’