The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded Dassault Aviation an order for 42 Rafale combat aircraft, known as “tranche 5”, for the French Air Force (AAE).
The Rafale is a technical, operational and commercial success which continues to position France at a world-class level in combat aircraft. The Rafale has been designed to evolve by successive standards, in order to adapt the latest technologies to user needs. Standard 4, focusing particularly on connectivity, is under development. Standard 5, which is currently preparing for launch, will bring new capabilities in collaborative combat.
The Rafale is a success in the export market, with seven customer countries to date. The order book, plus the new “tranche 5” contract, secure production activity for the next ten years.
The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and the French Air Force in 2006, gradually replacing the previous generations of seven types of combat aircraft. It has proven itself in combat in various missions: Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria.
To date, France has placed orders for five tranches of Rafales as follows: 13 Rafales in 1993; 48 in 1999; 59 in 2004; 60 in 2009; and 42 in 2023. In 2021, France placed a special order for 12 Rafale fighters to replace the 12 aircraft transferred to Greece. French orders therefore total 234 Rafale aircraft.
Total export orders currently stand at 261 Rafales (new aircraft): Egypt: 55, Qatar: 36, India: 36, Greece: 12, United Arab Emirates: 80 and Indonesia: 42 jets (including 18 for 2024).
In addition, Greece and Croatia have each acquired 12 Rafales from the French Air Force.
