France’s Dassault Rafale Fighter Is Not To Be Toyed With

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Key Points and Summary: The Dassault Rafale, translating to “gust of wind” or “burst of fire,” is a French-built 4.5-generation multirole fighter jet, distinct for its sleek design and indigenous systems.

-Initially part of the Eurofighter Typhoon project, France chose to develop the Rafale independently, equipping it with an AESA radar, infrared sensors, and advanced avionics.

-Capable of Mach 1.8, the Rafale performs air-to-air, ground, and naval missions with an arsenal including Storm Shadow missiles and nuclear-capable ASMP-A cruise missiles.

-Operated by France and nine other countries, the Rafale has seen combat in Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. Modern upgrades ensure its continued relevance in global conflicts.

Dassault Rafale: The Global Fighter Jet Taking on Modern Air Power

The French Dassault Rafale fighter jet name translates to “gust of wind” or “burst of fire” in English, a concept which seems to have gotten traction around the world because the French-built twin-engine fighter jet is used by more than nine countries as well as France. 

The Indigenous French fighter was originally part of a European team arrangement to build the Eurofighter, a multi-national collaborative effort that has now become the well-known “Typhoon.” France, however, exited the cooperative initiative with the UK, Italy, Spain, and Germany and built its own Dussault fighter. 

Dassault Rafale: Distinct Airframe

The aircraft has a distinct look: two wings on each side, a semi-smooth, rounded blended wing body, and a thin, angular front section. Described as a 4.5-Gen aircraft, the Dussalt Rafael incorporates a highly effective and widely used Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that allows the craft to search for and lock down targets in coordination with frontal “infrared search and track” sensors. Unlike the multi-national European Typhoon, the French Dussault’s sensors, electronic warfare, avionics, and weapons systems were all built entirely in the single country of France. 

There are many variants of the aircraft, including a single-seat carrier-launched aircraft, and the platform has a top speed of Mach 1.8; the Dassault is identified as a multi-role fighter capable of air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-ground attack. 

Although described as a multi-role fighter, much like an F-35, the Dussault Rafael may not possess US 5th-generation technological assets.

The Dussault has 14 external hard points and can take off with a full complement of weapons, including air-dropped precision bombs, air-fired Storm Shadow Missiles, air-to-air weapons, and a nuclear-capable cruise missile called the ASMP-A. 

While built by French companies Dussault Rafael, Thales, and Safran, the fighter became quite successful as an international platform and is in service with India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and Serbia. The fighter was used in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, and Syria in combat. 

The aircraft is newer than many 4th-gen aircraft that emerged in the 1980s, such as the F-15 and F-16, yet its continued relevance hinges upon the extent to which it has been upgraded.

If the Dussault Rafael undergoes upgrades, modernization efforts, or a Service Life Extension Plan, it could prove highly worthwhile in conflicts against 4th-generation aircraft.

There have been so many technological breakthroughs in the last 20 years that the Dussault would have to have received regular upgrades in order to compete in a modern threat environment. 

Dassault Rafale. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

About the Author: Kris Osborn 

Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.