DASSAULT-BREGUET/DORNIER ALPHA JET

The Alpha Jet is a combination trainer and light attack aircraft designed by a consortium of French and West German aircraft designers. Design work began in 1968 with the first French aircraft flying in October 1973 followed by the first German aircraft in January 1974. Germany and France bought just over 170 aircraft each. Germany decided to use theirs exclusively as light attack fighters, while France adopted them as their advanced jet trainer. The German Luftwaffe operated Alpha Jets until the late 1990s when most were sold to smaller air forces around the world. Eventually thirteen nations used the Alpha Jet primarily as trainers.