Dassault Rafale

By Steve Trimble, Tony Osborne, Brian Everstine
An ongoing software problem haunts Lockheed Martin’s production and modernization agenda for the F-35 as a raft of new competitors hit key milestones in 2024.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Thierry Dubois
Safran may take the Italian government to court after Rome blocked its purchase of Collins Aerospace's actuation and flight control systems business from RTX.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain

By Thierry Dubois
The uncrewed combat air vehicles that may accompany the Rafale F5 standard will be designed to enter highly defended zones, Dassault's CEO said Dec. 5.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Thierry Dubois
As military needs evolve in airspace use, improved collaboration with civil users and more cross-border cooperation are to be expected.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Steve Trimble
Edge Group has started feasibility studies of two new guided ballistic missiles for ground- and air-launch platforms.
Dubai Airshow

By Tony Osborne
MBDA is working on its Smart family of weapons at its newly established Abu Dhabi-based Missile Engineering Center, set up in conjunction with the Tawazun Council.
Dubai Airshow

By Graham Warwick
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Aerospace

By Tony Osborne
Combat aircraft procurement among the Gulf Cooperation Council states is in constant flux, given the geopolitics and threats faced in the region.
Dubai Airshow

By Helen Chachaty
France is to invest €6.41 billion ($6.75 billion) in the Dassault Rafale fighter program between 2023 and 2026 and has earmarked €5.36 billion after 2026.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The two-seat Rafale B was formally transferred on Oct. 2 during a ceremony at the Mont-de-Marsan air base, where Croatian pilots are being trained on the type.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Helen Chachaty
France's “historic” performance, as described by the report, is largely due to the sale of 80 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters and associated weapons to the UAE.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Richard Aboulafia
Changes to India’s military procurement process would have implications for the broader world combat aircraft market.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Chen Chuanren
The second payment for the Rafales brings the total confirmed aircraft for Indonesia to 24, adding to the six fighters that were paid for in September 2022.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Eurofighter upgrades are being paced by the four nations’ future combat air programs and national needs.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The announced selection by the Indian Navy of a French fighter is another blow to the future of Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet assembly line in St. Louis.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Helen Chachaty
The Indian Defense Acquisition Council on July 13 approved the acquisition of 26 Dassault Rafales for the Indian Navy, based on an intergovernmental agreement.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Helen Chachaty
India is France's leading defense export customer, receiving 30% of French armament exports over the 2018-22 period.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Helen Chachaty
Future versions of France’s Dassault Rafale might operate alongside an uncrewed combat aerial vehicle derived from Dassault Aviation's nEUROn demonstrator.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Chen Chuanren
The French Air and Space Force has kicked off Pégase 2023, an annual military exercise, to demonstrate its capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Chen Chuanren
Indonesia is considering acquiring more secondhand Mirage 2000s from the United Arab Emirates as stop-gap fighters as it waits for its new Dassault Rafale Cs.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Despite increased defense spending, parliamentary hearings are hinting at potentially adverse consequences for some of France’s key defense aerospace programs.
Paris Air Show

By Chen Chuanren
Indonesia's acquisition of 12 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from Qatar is reportedly worth $734.5 million.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Thierry Dubois
Safran’s CEO sees challenges and opportunities in aerospace manufacturing and space launch in the coming years.
Paris Air Show

By Helen Chachaty
Following the March announcement of the Dassault Rafale's F4.1 standard qualification, France is continuing to retrofit the combat aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Helen Chachaty
Dassault Aviation has resumed Rafale deliveries to France and is currently negotiating a contract for a fifth batch of aircraft.
Budget, Policy & Operations