DUSHANBE, March 19, Asia-Plus - France has boosted its Air Force contingent in Tajikistan, deploying three fighter jets Rafale at the Dushanbe airport.

According to the French Embassy in Dushanbe, the strengthening of the French Air Force contingent in Tajikistan is connected with aggravation of military-political situation in Afghanistan. 

The Rafale fighters arrived in Tajikistan Friday evening.   

Thus, at present nine planes of France’s Air Force, including three Mirage-2000s, three Rafales and three military transport planes Hercules as well as some 400 military personnel are deployed at the Dushanbe airport. 

According to the source, the French military personnel are expected to be increased in the near future.     

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Tajik national air carrier TajikAir have confirmed information about arrival of three Rafales in Tajikistan.  

France has been using a Tajik air base for operations in Afghanistan since 2001.  France’s jets are based at the Dushanbe airport to support operations by NATO''s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in neighboring Afghanistan.