Omnirole by design

When the Rafale programme was launched, the French Air Force and French Navy published a joint requirement for an omnirole aircraft that would have to replace the seven types of combat aircraft then in operation.

The new aircraft would have to be able to carry out a very wide range of missions:

  • Air-defence / air-superiority/air policing,
  • Reconnaissance,
  • Nuclear deterrence,
  • Air-to-ground precision strike / interdiction,
  • Close air support,
  • Anti-ship attacks,
  • buddy-buddy refuelling.

These requirements were taken into account from the start of the Rafale’s development, leading engineers to invent an evolutive aircraft which goes beyond the needs of each type of mission.

Versatile and best in all categories of missions, the Rafale is a true “Force Multiplier”.

The Rafale has exhibited an impressive combat efficiency and a remarkable survivability rate during the latest French Air and Space Force and French Navy operations, thanks to an optimised airframe and to a wide range of smart and discrete sensors. It is slated to remain a key combat aircraft asset for the French armed forces beyond 2050.