Civil and military aircraft / Delivering customer satisfaction
Serving armed forcesCivil and military aircraft Delivering customer satisfaction
Serving armed forces
Our military aircraft deliver what’s needed to meet current and future strategic challenges. In addition to France, seven other countries have placed their trust in the Rafale fighter. At the beginning of 2024, we had confirmed orders for 495 Rafales, including 261 for export. These orders will ensure a steady production output for the next ten years.
Combat proven
The Rafale is one of the world’s most seasoned fighter jets. It has demonstrated its outstanding versatility in some of the most challenging operational environments. It can handle a variety of missions that previously required seven different types of aircraft. The Rafale is one of the key components of the French system of nuclear deterrence.
At the end of December 2023, the French defense procurement agency (DGA) placed an order with Dassault Aviation for 42 Rafales (otherwise known as Tranche 5) for the French Air and Space Force. These aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2032. Total orders placed by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces since the start of the program, up to and including the end of December 2023, stand at 234 Rafales. Out of these, 164 have already been delivered.
Upcoming Rafale standards
The Rafale has been designed to be able to incorporate new features throughout its service life based on operational feedback. The F4 standard, currently under development for delivery in 2027, features enhanced networked combat capabilities. This standard will also include upgrades of the radar and OSF search & track systems, helmet-mounted display, along with Mica NG air-to-air missiles and 1,000-kg AASM precision-guided weapons.
The F5 standard, which is currently being readied for launch, will be designed for collaborative combat and the advanced weapon systems of the future: it will feature, among other things, a fourth-generation nuclear missile system and a combat drone based on the nEUROn demonstrator.