French Air Force to receive 42 Dassault Rafale F4 jets.

On January 12, 2024, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA - Direction générale de l'Armement) announced the award of a contract to Dassault Aviation, Thales, Safran, and MBDA for the production of the 5th tranche of Rafale aircraft. This contract encompasses the manufacturing of 42 single-seat Rafale aircraft, all equipped with the F4 standard, intended for the French Air and Space Force.
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The 5th tranche of Rafale production will bring these aircraft up to the F4 standard, which received qualification from the DGA in March 2023. (Picture source: Dassault Aviation)

The 5th tranche of Rafale production will bring these aircraft up to the F4 standard, which began development in 2018 and received qualification from the DGA in March 2023. The F4 standard involves integrating the Contact radio station, the MICA NG (New Generation) missile, and the Autonomous Digital Jammer (BAN) into the SPECTRA self-protection system of the Rafale.

The delivery of the first aircraft from this tranche is anticipated in 2027, facilitated by the French Military Program Law (LPM) 2024-2030. Additionally, these fighter jets are designed for future evolution towards the F5 standard in the 2030s.

The Rafale, a multi-role combat aircraft manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation, is capable of performing a broad spectrum of missions, including all-weather ground attack, nuclear deterrence, defense, aerial superiority, close air support, reconnaissance, and maritime assault. The naval variant of the Rafale also possesses in-flight refueling capabilities.

The Rafale incorporates advanced avionics and systems, including direct voice input, the RBE2 AA active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and the optronic secteur frontal infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor, developed domestically for the program. The Rafale comes in three primary variants: Rafale C, Rafale B, and Rafale M.

The Rafale serves both the French Air Force and Navy and has been deployed in combat operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria. It has been selected by various countries, including Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Rafale F4, recognized for its open-system architecture, has undergone several upgrades, progressing from its original air-to-air capabilities in the F1 standard to the multirole F4.1 standard. The F4.1 version introduces the Scorpion helmet-mounted display system, enhancing pilot situational awareness by overlaying tactical information within their field of view, thereby reducing response times when engaging enemy targets.

The RBE2 AESA radar, in conjunction with enhanced frontal optronics, enhances target detection and engagement capabilities, both in the air and on the ground. The Talios pod provides continuous situational awareness regardless of weather conditions.

The Rafale is equipped with a diverse range of weaponry suitable for various roles, encompassing air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions such as the Meteor missile for air combat and Scalp cruise missiles for precise ground strikes. It also carries the AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) guided bomb kits, enhancing its ground attack capabilities. The SPECTRA system, designed for aircraft protection, has been further bolstered to ensure operational freedom in hostile environments and deter potential threats.

Regarding technical specifications, the Rafale F4 possesses a wingspan of 10.80 meters, a length of 15.30 meters, and a height of 5.30 meters. Powered by two M88 engines with a maximum thrust of 7.5 tons each, it can reach a maximum speed of 1.8 Mach and operate at an altitude of 50,000 feet. The aircraft can carry a maximum external payload of 9.5 tons, accommodating various weapons and equipment.