C-160G Gabriel intelligence variant of the C-160 Transall is seen here soaring over Paris.

Operated by CEV at that time

A little shabbier than when I last photographed it at Fairford in 2005, one of the two C-160G Gabriel SIGINT conversions. The other is now at LBG

ELINT/SIGINT version of Transall C-160 operated by EE 1/54

Rarely seen Elint version of the Transall, known as the "Gabriel". The aircraft is operated by EET 01.054 based at Metz.

Operated by Escadron Electronique (EE) 1/54 "Dunkerque"

ELINT version of Transall C-160 from EE.54

The rarely seen ELINT/SIGINT version of Transall C-160 from EE.54 nicknamed "Gaby" in the French Air Force.

Rarely seen Elint version of the Transall, known as "Gabriel". Operated by EE 54

In 1984, the French MoD launched a programme to equip the Armée de l'Air with a modern and reliable Signal and Comint (SIGINT/COMINT) collection aircraft to replace the six heavily modified Noratlas aircraft. Two C-160s were taken from the transport inventory, being F216 and F221. These became resp. C-160G-1 and C-160G-2 , both modified with a radome containing a COMINT espionage system under the belly of the aircraft, two pods at wingtips containing the ELINT systems and four antennas on top of the nose. From 1989 the first spionage C-160, now named Gabriel, became operational. Assigned to Escadron Electronique Aéroporté (EEA) 1/54 "Dunkerque"