The Super Etendard fighter bomber marked its official retirement from French Navy service on 12th July with a ceremony at the Landivisiau naval air base. Three of the five Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM) aircraft still in service took part in a flight display alongside the Rafale M that will replace them, and a Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft.

A total of 71 Super Etandards saw service with the French Navy over the past 38 years, continuing to the end to participate in front-line operations, such as the carrier battle group deployed to the Gulf late last year. The five remaining aircraft will be available for export, possibly to Argentina,  the only other country to operate the aircraft.

The French Navy now moves to an all-Rafale fleet. There will be three Naval Air Squadrons once the 17F has completed its transition from the SEM to the Rafale ... in 2018. Pilots will need to train on their new aircraft, though some have already flown on it. They will also need refresher training on missions no longer performed by the SEM — reconnaissance and nuclear deterrence.