France orders a dozen more Rafale fighters
Twelve Rafale F3Rs for French Air and Space Force to replace the same number of aircraft being sold to Greece.
The French Air and Space Force is to receive 12 new-build Dassault Rafale F3R multi-role fighters, to replace an equivalent number of aircraft being sold to Greece as part of an 18-aircraft deal.
‘The Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) will be launching the first orders from Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales in February,’ the French MoD announced on 29 January.
Delivery of the 12 new Rafales to the Air and Space Force is expected in 2025. It will conclude a plan (under the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law) to order 28 new multi-role fighters, to be produced from December 2022.
‘This additional order will also ensure the maintenance of the Rafale production chain until December 2025 and the sustainability of its industrial ecosystem, weakened by the [COVID-19] crisis in the civil aeronautics sector,’ the MoD added
Although the MoD did not disclose the value of the latest deal, Shephard Defence Insight describes a unit price of $80 million for the aircraft ordered under the 2019-2025 plan, giving an overall cost of $960 million.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?]()
What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?
The USAF plans to phase out its 162 in-operation A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs by the end of FY2026, replacing them with F-35As which will bring a leap in capabilities in terms of lethality, survivability and speed.
-
![Embraer turns to AI solution for A-29 Super Tucano CUAS evolution]()
Embraer turns to AI solution for A-29 Super Tucano CUAS evolution
The AI solution is called Gunslinger, which will be used to assist the pilot in decision-making for counter-drone operations.
-
![European Defence Agency picks Airbus Helicopters’ Capa-X for M2UAS project]()
European Defence Agency picks Airbus Helicopters’ Capa-X for M2UAS project
The multi-mission uncrewed platform project is aiming to help the EU agency define new drone designs that are capable of performing a wide range of mission sets with one adaptable airframe.
-
![Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos]()
Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos
A production decision on Increment 1 of the CCA Programme is due to be made by the end of the year, with further demonstrations building on F-22 Raptor and MQ-20 Avenger teaming flight tests.
-
![First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion]()
First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion
The US is currently escalating its efforts to acquire more than 300,000 low-cost one-way attack drones, with the confirmed use of these platforms against Iran in recent days emphasising their growing use in combat.
-
![UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract]()
UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract
The £1 billion contract has secured jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil site and will provide the British forces with 23 new medium-lift helicopters.
