Dassault Rafale Fighter: Advanced, Agile, and Armed to the Teeth

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Key Points: The Dassault Rafale, a 4.5 generation fighter, has emerged as a top contender in the global export market, favored for its advanced technology, agility, and versatility.

-Introduced in 2001, this multirole aircraft features a canard delta-wing design, reduced radar cross-section, and infrared signature.

-Powered by two Snecma M88 engines, it boasts MACH 1.8 speed, supercruise capability, and an impressive weapons package, including the Meteor air-to-air missile and Exocet anti-ship missile.

-Its adaptability for missions like deep strikes, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence makes it attractive to nations like India, Egypt, and Greece.

-At $62 million each, the Rafale is a premium but effective choice.

Dassault Rafale: The Multirole Fighter Winning the Export Race

Quick. What country produces the best fighter plane in the world? You would probably say the United States, China, or Russia. What if I told you France should be in the mix as one of the best fighter jet creators? You’d probably be surprised. But the French Dassault Rafale is becoming one of the most popular fighters on the international export market.

First, the airplane is impressive. Introduced in 2001, it is a multirole, fast (MACH 1.8), technologically-advanced hot rod. Since it doesn’t come from China or Russia, the militaries that buy the Rafale can avoid any political controversies and baggage those countries are associated with.

Politicians can make a case that France is a better export partner and choose to do business with Paris to avoid dealing with rogue governments in Moscow or Beijing. Egypt, India, Greece, Qatar, and others have purchased the Rafale and are glad they did. Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Malaysia, and Peru are reportedly interested in acquiring the Rafale.

Dassault Rafale: This Thing Gets an ‘A’ for Agility

Like the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Dassault Rafale has a canard delta-wing design. The triangular Rafale is a 4.5 generation fighter. It is not totally stealth, but it has some stealth characteristics with its reduced radar-cross section. The avionics are top-notch, and its digital fly-by-wire control creates excellent maneuverability.

The Rafale can handle over 9gs during maneuvers.

Not Stealthy But It Has Stealth Attributes

The key feature behind the Rafale’s stealth characteristics are its reduced infrared signature. The tail fin is smaller, and the engine’s air inlets are placed behind the wings. The airplane’s composite materials help absorb radar.

Powerful Engines Are Notable

The Rafale comes with two Snecma M88 engines. The M88 can push out 17,000 pounds of thrust with afterburners at MACH 1.8. The M88s also give the Rafale supercruise capability.

Multi-missions Sets Make It a Nightmare for Enemies

But my favorite aspect of the Dassault Rafale is its versatility, and this is what gets export partners drooling. As the manufacturer states, “The Rafale participates in permanent ‘Quick Reaction Alert’ (QRA) / air-defense / air policing missions, nuclear deterrence duties, power projection and deployments for external missions, deep strike missions, air support for ground forces, reconnaissance missions, and pilot training sorties.”

You got all that?

The Rafale puts the word “multi” in multi-role. This force multiplication ability is a huge selling point for militaries in the developing world that do not have the knowhow, money, or resources to make their own versatile fighter like the Rafale.

Flexibility and Survivability Are Selling Points

The Rafale’s speed and maneuverability are also matched by the airplane’s survivability. It has an enviable electronic warfare system. It has the flexibility for a commander to change the mission in flight. For example, the Rafale can start out in an escort mission or a reconnaissance mission and then switch to ground attack mode in-air.

They Can’t Be Produced Fast Enough

The Dassault Rafale has been serving the French military since 2004 and there is a navy version for use on aircraft carriers. Dassault Aviation says that the airplane has more “export orders than French orders.” France currently has around 234 Rafales. The jet played a key role in the NATO operation against Libya enforcing a no-fly zone over that North African country in 2011.

Chock Full of Weapons

This probably has to do with the range of weapons the Rafale can carry. The following can be deployed: the Meteor very long-range air-to-air missile, the MICA beyond visual range missile, Hammer precision-guided munition, the Scalp long-range standoff missile, and the Exocet anti-ship missile.

One of the Best Radar Systems In the World

The Dassault Rafale has an excellent sensor package. It features the RBE2 active electronically-scanned array radar for better situational awareness. This is the first European fighter to have such a radar system.

France has a hit on its hands. Look for this warbird to be exported to many militaries around the world. The Dassault Rafale costs around $62 million each, which is no bargain. But with all of these capabilities and technology, plus versatility, survivability, and firepower, the price is worth it.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.