• Defence Notes

  Canada to accept bid from Boeing for new fighter jets

  23rd February 2018

  Canada said on 22 February that it was allowing Boeing to submit a bid to replace the country's aging F-18 fleet, after an earlier trade …

• Defence Notes

  Qatar diversifies defence procurements amid GCC spat

  18th January 2018

  Qatar's ongoing diplomatic split from the Gulf Cooperation Council is pushing it to seek new defence suppliers, with the Gulf country now forging closer relations …

• Digital Battlespace

  Qatar to acquire additional Rafale aircraft

  13th December 2017

  Qatar Emiri Air Force has signed an agreement with Dassault Aviation to acquire an additional 12 Rafale omnirole combat aircraft.The new aircraft will join the …

• Land Warfare

  GDA 2017: Qatar becomes first VBCI export customer

  7th December 2017

  The French-made VBCI 8x8 armoured vehicle has finally secured an export customer in Qatar, following a billion-dollar trade deal finalised between France and the Gulf …

• Defence Notes

  Opinion: Learning the lessons of Gulf defence procurement

  17th November 2017

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced at the Dubai Air Show that it is keen to acquire the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. This is the …

• Military Logistics

  Dubai Airshow 2017: Qatar enhances F-15 fleet with support services

  6th November 2017

  Qatar is bolstering its wider rearmament programme through a potential FMS deal with the US DoD for service support of its recently-acquired Boeing F-15QA aircraft. …

• Defence Notes

  Paris Air Show: Rafale in depth (video)

  19th June 2017

  Prominently displayed on the Dassault and French DGA stands is the Rafale multirole combat jet, which when combined with its flight demonstrations during the week, …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales to form Indian joint venture

  23rd June 2017

  India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative has chalked up a new success, with Thales and Reliance Defence Limited announcing their intent to form an Indian Joint …

• Digital Battlespace

  Paris Air Show: Upgraded Rafale set for trials

  13th June 2017

  The French Air Force is on track to carry out qualification trials of the new ‘F3R’ standard Dassault Rafale next year, which will include testing …

• Defence Notes

  MBDA seeks munition revolution

  22nd June 2017

  European missile house MBDA has unveiled a new family of gliding smart munitions, but officials played down suggestions it could compete as a Small Diameter …

• Land Warfare

  ​SOFINS: New guided support weapon unveiled

  4th April 2017

  French company AA/ROK has developed a concept for the new SSA-1108 Joint-Forces Light Support Guided Munition (MIGALe) at the SOFINS exhibition, near Bordeaux.The MIGALe is …

• Defence Notes

  LIMA 2017: MRCA contenders jockey for pole position

  22nd March 2017

  European aviation companies are playing tug of war over Malaysia's next fighter aircraft selection, with Saab and BAE Systems making counter-claims that each has been …

• Defence Notes

  MBDA upholds European defence collaboration

  16th March 2017

  Against a backdrop of Brexit and political uncertainty across Europe, MBDA will to continue down the road of European defence industry collaboration as its looks …

• Defence Notes

  Emerging markets key to Thales growth

  28th February 2017

  French aerospace and defence group Thales has posted an increase in sales for 2016, with emerging markets being at the centre of 'strong growth' for …

• Defence Notes

  Aero India 2017: Indian fighters deliver déjà vu

  21st February 2017

  There was a strong sense of déjà vu at Aero India 2017, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is yet again on a hunt for …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale Follow-On (Egypt)

  Programme Background Egypt was reported to request 12 Rafale fighters following an earlier contract in 2015. However, this deal fell into limbo after the Pentagon blocked ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale (Greece)

  Programme Background Greece is mounting a procurement surge amid renewed tension with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. In announcing the Rafale deal, Greek Prime Minister ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale - Follow-On (Greece)

  Programme Background Referring to the rearmament programme for 2020-2025, Greek defence minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos said in parliament on 7 October 2021 that up to 48 new multi-role ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale Follow-On - France

  The Rafale F4 variant will feature advanced radar system and weapons such as Mica NG, Scalp and AASM. France signed a €2 billion contract for ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale Procurement (1-36) [Qatar]

  According to the Dassault 2018 Annual Report, the company recorded €1.7 billion ($2 billion) from 12 Rafales export order in 2018. This puts the total ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Loyal Wingman UCAV [French Air Force]

  Programme Background Rafale F5 Companion During a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS) at Saint-Dizier Air Base in October 2024, France's Minister of ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale (1-12) [Serbia]

  Programme Background Timeline The military aviation capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces have been actively expanded — and Belgrade was confirmed to be negotiating with ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale [Iraq]

  Programme Background Requirement Lt Gen Juma Anad Saadoun, the Iraqi Minister of Defence, said in a 10 November 2020 statement that the Iraqi Air Force ...

• Fighter - naval

  Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) [India]

  Programme Background RFI / Requirments In January 2017, India issued an RFI for the procurement of 57 multirole naval fighters. The RFI for the Indian Navy ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale [UAE]

  Programme Background Abu Dhabi has a long-standing interest in two squadrons of F-35, which had been refused until 2017 when it was reported that the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Rafale [Iraq]

  Iraqi Air Force is planning to procure Rafale combat aircraft from France. The Iraqi Minister of Defence announced in November 2020 that Baghdad is in ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Rafale [Iraq]

  Iraqi Air Force is planning to procure Rafale combat aircraft from France. The Iraqi Minister of Defence announced in November 2020 that Baghdad is in ...

• Data links

  Data links | Rafale [Iraq]

  Iraqi Air Force is planning to procure Rafale combat aircraft from France. The Iraqi Minister of Defence announced in November 2020 that Baghdad is in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Rafale [Iraq]

  Iraqi Air Force is planning to procure Rafale combat aircraft from France. The Iraqi Minister of Defence announced in November 2020 that Baghdad is in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Rafale [Iraq]

  Iraqi Air Force is planning to procure Rafale combat aircraft from France. The Iraqi Minister of Defence announced in November 2020 that Baghdad is in ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - naval

  Rafale M

  The Rafale M is a single-seat, twin-engine, delta-wing aircraft with forward canards. It is the carrier version of the Rafale B/C, which is in service ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale

  The Rafale is a delta-wing agile aircraft with forward canards, which allow for short landing and slower speeds, powered by two Snecma M88 engines. The ...

• EO/IR systems

  AREOS

  The Airborne Recce Observation System (AREOS), known as Reco NG in France, is a standoff reconnaissance system designed for tactical and strategic missions.  The pod integrates ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS

  DDM-NG

  MBDA’s DDM-NG is a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) which equips Thales’ Spectra integrated self-protection system used by the Dassault Rafale-F3B/C/M combat aircraft. Official documentation ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  CSR

  As part of a wider consortium including its parent company Dassault Aviation, Sogitec Industries delivered the two Rafale Simulation Centres (Centres de simulation Rafale/CSR) in ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers, Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers, Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming, Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  SPECTRA

  Thales’ SPECTRA (Rafale Fire Control Radar Protection and Avoidance System) is the Integrated Self-Protection System (ISPS) used by the Dassault Rafale series of combat aircraft. ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  M88

  The M88 powers Dassault's Rafale multirole fighter. The engine is manufactured by Safron and can develop 16,500lb of thrust with an afterburner.  Safran is working ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Stealth UCAV (nEUROn Successor)

  At the Paris Air Show 2025, Dassault Aviation showcased a stealthy UCAV, the successor of the nEUROn aircraft. A Safran M88 engine will power the ...

• Air: maintenance simulators

  VMT

  Virtual Maintenance Trainers (VMTs) present trainees with interactive virtual walkaround lessons, providing views of component locations and inspection areas around the aircraft, along with descriptions ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Rafale Simulator

  Thales, Sogitec and Dassault Aviation have together developed two pilot training centres to support the training of Rafale fighter pilots. The Saint-Dizier Rafale simulation centre ...

• EO/IR systems

  TALIOS

  The TArgeting Long-range Identification Optronic System (TALIOS) is a targeting pod from Thales.  It is equipped with top-down and bottom-up datalinks and can scan a large area, identify ...

• Air: mission management systems

  SLPRM

  Mission planning and debriefing system used by the French Air Force to program missions for its fighter jets. The SLPRM (Système local de préparation et ...

• Air-to-air missiles

  MICA RF

  Developed by MBDA, the MICA is a multi-mission, air-to-air missile system for the Rafale and the latest versions of the Mirage 2000 combat aircraft. The MICA ...

• Air-to-air missiles

  MICA IR

  Developed by MBDA, the MICA is a multi-mission, air-to-air missile system for the Rafale and the latest versions of the Mirage 2000 combat aircraft. The MICA ...

• Air-to-air missiles

  Meteor

  The Meteor is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile that is intended to be used against long-range targets in an ECM-rich environment. Guided by an advanced active radar seeker, the ...