Aircraft
France Launches Rafale F4 Upgrade
France has formally launched the next major step in Rafale development, with the accent on improved networking.
Two Rafales fly with a Phénix tanker/transport during the trio's visit to Réunion. The aircraft arrived at the Inidan Ocean island after a stop at the French air force's detachment in Djibouti, but returned to France in a non-stop flight. (Photo: French defense ministry)
Two Rafales fly with a Phénix tanker/transport during the trio's visit to Réunion. The aircraft arrived at the Inidan Ocean island after a stop at the French air force's detachment in Djibouti, but returned to France in a non-stop flight. (Photo: French defense ministry)

On a visit to Dassault Aviation’s facility at Bordeaux-Mérignac earlier this month, France’s armed forces minister, Florence Parly, announced a €1.9 billion ($2.16 billion) development and integration contract that launches the F4 Standard of the Rafale multi-role fighter. The new version has been agreed upon as part of France’s 2019-2025 military programming law, and comes shortly after the F3-R standard was qualified.


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