France to buy more Rafale jets and invest €1.5 billion in upgrading air base
France last ordered 42 Rafale jets in January 2024 for $5.5 billion. (Photo: Dassault)
The Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur air base will be modernised to ensure it can host nuclear weapons as France continues efforts to boost its nuclear deterrence.
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans for France to acquire additional Dassault Rafale jets and invest around €1.5 billion (US$1.6 billion) to upgrade infrastructure on its Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur air base.
The investment will ensure the air base can host nuclear weapons to equip the French Air Force’s squadrons with the latest nuclear missile technology, Macron stated.
While Macron did not state how many jets would be ordered, the plan is for the base to host two F5 Rafale fighter jet squadrons along with ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missiles – manufactured by MBDA France – by 2035.
Currently, the base houses
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics]()
How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics
Defence industry primes are working on an array of different platforms to meet the growing need for rotary uncrewed aerial vehicles to carry out future logistics missions.
-
![US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters]()
US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters
The USAF published RFIs for enhancing its C3 capabilities after losing, in Operation Epic Fury, four aircraft in non-confrontational, unclear situations that could have been related to command, control and communication failures.
-
![European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones]()
European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones
European defence firms including Airbus, Helsing, General Atomics and Anduril are accelerating development and testing of collaborative combat aircraft to meet Germany’s loyal wingman requirement, targeting operational deployment by the end of the decade.
