La Francia ordinerà molti altri Rafale da Dassault Aviation

>In the 2026 budget proposal, the Ministry of the Armed Forces has announced a target of 286 Rafale jets (compared to the current 225). In addition, it will order two additional combat aircraft in 2026 following the crash of two Air Force Rafales in August 2024.

>More than 60 additional Rafale (61 to be exact) for the Air Force and Navy… In the budget documents of the 2026 finance bill, the new Rafale target could reach up to 286 combat aircraft to face all threats and the increase in missions. ” The program target may be adjusted to ensure consistency with the fleet format provided for in the Military Programming Law (LPM)” , the Ministry of the Economy soberly explains in the 2026 budget draft.

>Until now, the overall fleet planned by the White Paper on National Defense and Security of 2013 and the 2019-2025 LPM provided for 225 Rafale, including 185 for the Air and Space Force and 40 for the French Navy. The 2024-2030 LPM currently provides for a Rafale fleet (Air and Navy) of 178 aircraft by the end of 2030 and 225 aircraft by 2035. The Rafale (air) made its first production flight in 1998, then in 1999 for the French Navy.

>**Two Rafales ordered in 2026**

>Furthermore, it is planned that in 2026, France will order two additional Rafales, a purchase that corresponds to the replacement [of the two aircraft lost in a crash in August 2024.](https://www.latribune.fr/economie/france/accident-entre-deux-rafale-en-meurthe-et-moselle-une-enquete-judiciaire-a-ete-ouverte-1004301.html) However, this order has no impact on the format of the fleet (current and future).

>In addition to this acquisition, the Ministry will launch a version of the Rafale next year with the capability to neutralize enemy air defenses (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense, or SEAD). It will also continue developing the core capabilities of the F5 version with the launch of the next phase. In total, the Ministry of the Armed Forces plans to spend just over €1.5 billion in 2026 in payment appropriations for the Rafale program (particularly the F4 and F5 versions) and its environment (particularly UCAVs and infrastructure).

>**300 Rafale produced**

>A few days ago, Dassault Aviation reached the milestone of 300 Rafale aircraft produced. The Rafale’s commercial success was reinforced this year with the signing (April 28) and entry into force (May 7) of the contract for India to acquire 26 Rafale Marine aircraft to equip the Indian Navy. India has become the first export customer for the Rafale Marine.

>To date, 533 Rafales have been firmly ordered by France and foreign countries (299 aircraft exported, or 56% of deliveries, 60% if we add the 24 Rafales transferred from the Air and Space Force to Greece and Croatia). Eight export customer countries (Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, India, Greece, Croatia and Serbia) have purchased the French combat aircraft. For comparison, Dassault Aviation has delivered just over 600 Mirage 2000s, of which around 50% are for export. 

So 178 by 2030, 225 by 2035. When’s the 286 target intended to be reached?

I still think France is going to miss the capabilities of a stealth fighter, but they’re looking at a really solid fleet of 4th gens. I think that’s ~50 more jets than the UK plans currently, ~75 more than Germany.

For sure Europe need a solid Air Force to defend European sovereignty. It’s gonna be expensive and they need people working hard for that, so in a functional society and the willing to defend it, with everyone contributing. So yes i target especially the wealthies ready to bay out of any national and european interests as soon as we touch a penny of their financial privileges. 

There is a war perfume in the air. We can’t allow this financial leeches to drain society forces for their selfish interests any more.