Breguet Alize Country: France Type: ASW Manufacturer: Breguet Service: 1959 - 2000 First Flight: 6 October 1956 Production: 89

The Breguet Br.1050 Alize was a French carrier-based anti-submarine warfare aircraft. It was developed in the 1950s, based loosely on the prototype Breguet Vultur attack aircraft.

A total of 89 examples of the Alize were built between 1957 and 1962, including two preproduction prototypes. Seventy-five production aircraft were acquired by the Naval Aviation, with initial service delivery in March 1959. The Alize went into operation on the carriers Arromanches, Clemenceau and Foch, and were also used in shore-based training. French Naval Aviation provided the Alize with a series of upgrades. As late as 1997, the French Naval Aviation was still operating 24 examples for surface patrol. The Alize was used operationally during the NATO air campaign against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia over Kosovo in the spring of 1999, with the aircraft flying off the carrier Foch. The last Alize was finally withdrawn from service in 2000 with the retirement of the French aircraft carrier Foch.

The Indian Navy operated the Alize from shore bases and from the light carrier INS Vikrant. The Alize was used for reconnaissance and patrol. The Alize dwindled in numbers in the Indian Navy during the 1980s, was relegated to shore-based patrol in 1987, and was finally phased out in 1991.

General characteristics