Dassault Aviation targets three Rafale Fighter per month by 2024 end.

Dassault Aviation unveiled its financial results on March 6, 2024, marked by sustained growth for the year 2023. By the end of 2024, Dassault Aviation will reach a production rate of three Rafale jets per month, moving from a production rate of two to three Rafale jets per month by the end of this year. The company can be scaled to achieve a rate of four Rafale jets per month, following the multiplication of Rafale orders. Nonetheless, the company faces supply chain challenges amid rising demand for Rafales and Falcons.
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French Air Force Rafale in operations Haramattan fitted with 6 AASM and MICA missiles (Picture source: Dassault Aviation)

After completing audit procedures, Dassault Aviation highlighted a burgeoning order book, primarily supported by the commercial success of the Rafale jet and Falcon business jets, totaling 38.5 billion euros as of December 31, 2023. This advancement was bolstered by the ratification, in January 2024, of an Indonesian contract for an additional 18 Rafale jets, bringing the total Rafale orders since the program's inception to 495 aircraft.

However, the aviation sector's recovery, still disrupted by the pandemic's impact on the supply chain, has been hampered by subcontractor issues and aerostructural capacity shortages, leading to production start-up delays for Dassault. This is despite Dassault relying on a national supply chain for the Rafale. In response, the company has launched a comprehensive plan to mitigate these risks, including support for struggling subcontractors and leveraging its Indian 'Make in India' strategy.

While Dassault aimed to produce 15 Rafales, it only managed to complete 13. The company is scheduled to deliver between 2026 and 2033, setting a delivery pace of nearly 24 aircraft per year.

Today, the Rafale stands as an option for countries unwilling to bear the political and economic burden associated with purchasing American and Russian aircraft such as the F-35, F-16, and Su-35. This partly explains why the Rafale has gained popularity in India and several Middle Eastern countries. However, the downside for Rafale customers is their dependence on a single country whose defense industrial base is already struggling to supply Ukraine and replenish the French military.

Furthermore, Dassault Aviation's financial results for the year presented a mixed picture. Although the group's revenue reached 4.8 billion euros, with a record adjusted net result of 886 million euros, the company fell short of its delivery targets due to the delayed entry into service of the Falcon 6X and other supply chain-related issues. The civil sector experienced a decline in Falcon orders compared to the previous year, reflecting volatile market demand amidst global economic uncertainties.

Nevertheless, the military sector remained robust, with a significant increase in Defense France sales, highlighting the strategic importance of Dassault's Rafale and Falcon programs on a global scale. Looking ahead, the company anticipates an increase in its revenues in 2024, supported by a strategic emphasis on overcoming supply chain challenges, accelerating production, and maintaining its competitive edge in both defense and civil aviation markets.

Defense News March 2024