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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Indian Defense Acquisition Council on July 13 approved the acquisition of 26 Dassault Rafales for the Indian Navy, based on an intergovernmental agreement.
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.
Despite increased defense spending, parliamentary hearings are hinting at potentially adverse consequences for some of France’s key defense aerospace programs.
Five years after a reorganization of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul organization, France’s defense ministry is drawing lessons from the efforts.
The French Air Force has welcomed the launch of Phase 1B of the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, which will replace its Dassault Rafale fleet.
