A Dassault Super Étendard bomber of the French Navy has made an emergency landing in Malta.

The plane took off for operations over Libya but was forced to seek permission to land in Malta because of strong winds. It is based on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and is thought to be unarmed and used for reconnaissance.

Three pairs of Mirage F1 aircraft of the French Air Force have so far in the Libyan campaign made emergency landings in Malta after suffering fuel shortages or technical difficulties. The last arrived on May 2.

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