Our military aircraft deliver what’s needed to meet current and future strategic challenges. In addition to France, seven other countries have placed their trust in the Rafale fighter. As of the end of 2022, the total number of confirmed orders for Rafales stood at 417, including 225 for export, and 253 had been delivered.
The Rafale has now logged a total of 405,000 flight-hours (including 63,500 operational hours flown by French pilots since 2007), making it one of the world’s most seasoned fighter jets.
The Rafale has demonstrated its outstanding versatility in some of the most challenging operational environments. It can handle a variety of missions that previously required seven different types of aircraft.
The Rafale is one of the key components of France’s nuclear deterrence.
As of the end of 2022, France had ordered a total of 192 Rafales, including 12 aircraft to compensate for those sold to Greece; out of these, 153 have already been delivered. A further order (to be announced in 2023) for 30 more fighters is planned as part of the 2019-2025 military spending bill, to which will be added 12 further Rafales to offset those sold to Croatia.
The Rafale has been designed to be able to incorporate new features throughout its service life based on operational feedback. The F3-R standard entered operational capability on schedule in December 2019. It completed its first combat mission in September 2020. The standard features the Meteor air-to-air missile, the Talios laser designation pod and the latest version of the AASM smart weapon system.
Launched in December 2018, the F4 standard boasts connectivity features that will enhance networked combat effectiveness and pave the way for the Future Air Combat System (FACS). This standard will also include upgrades in terms of the radar and OSF search & track systems, helmet-mounted display, along with Mica NG air-to-air and 1,000-kg AASM smart weapon systems.
The F5 standard is currently under development.
The United Arab Emirates purchased 80 Rafale F4s in December 2021, which is the largest military export order ever secured by Dassault Aviation.
In February 2022, Indonesia signed a two-phase contract for 42 Rafales (6 plus 36). The deal provides for delivery of a comprehensive solution, including training and logistical support. Indonesia is a first-time military customer for Dassault Aviation and its second Rafale customer in the Indo-Pacific region.
On top of an initial purchase of 24 aircraft in 2015, Egypt announced an order for 31 further fighters in 2021.
Greece is the first European country to acquire the Rafale. An initial contract for 6 new and 12 pre-owned aircraft was signed in January 2021. Six further new Rafales were ordered in March 2022.
In November 2021, Croatia, which had never before flown our fighter jets, joined the growing ranks of Dassault customers by purchasing 12 pre-owned Rafales under a government-to-government agreement. Dassault Aviation has been contracted to provide maintenance for this fleet.
India ordered 36 Rafales in 2016. The Indian Air Force (IAF) took delivery of the first of its fighter in October 2019. Deliveries were completed on schedule in 2022, despite the ongoing Covid crisis.
Qatar has acquired 36 Rafales — 24 in 2015 then a further 12 in 2017 —, with an option on 36 more aircraft. Deliveries commenced in February 2019 and were completed in 2022.
Our ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft, which play a key role in France’s nuclear deterrence, are currently undergoing modernization.
Work on the Falcon 8X Archange strategic intelligence aircraft is continuing.
In December 2020, the French Navy placed an order for 7 Falcon Albatros jets, with delivery scheduled beginning in 2025. These maritime surveillance and intervention aircraft (AVSIMAR) are based on the Falcon 2000LXS and the number of aircraft involved is expected to increase to at least 12.
By 2021, the Japan Coast Guard had been supplied with 6 Falcon 2000 MSAs.
The Republic of Korea placed an order for 4 Falcon 2000S in 2022.
Our Falcons are state-of-the-art business jets designed for the most exacting missions; their versatility, comfort as well as the incorporation of military-inspired innovations set them apart from the competition.
Our Falcons are state-of-the-art instruments designed to combine outstanding performance with exceptional levels of passenger comfort:
Unveiled in 2021, the Falcon 10X is set to be the most innovative business jet in the Falcon family and the first to fly entirely using sustainable aviation fuels. Powered by 2 Rolls-Royce Pearl® 10X engines, it will have a top speed of Mach 0.925 and a range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,890 km).
The Falcon 10X has been conceived and fitted out as a suite designed for both work and relaxation on flights lasting more than 15 hours. Its spacious, bright and relaxing cabin has already garnered awards, notably the Good Design Award. Over 6 and a half feet high and around 9 feet wide, the interior can accommodate three to four sitting areas, with the option of a shower and a queen-size bed. It has a cabin altitude of 3,000 ft when flying at 41,000 ft.
The Falcon 10X is packed with technological advances, many of which stem from our expertise in fighter jets: high-aspect-ratio composite wings; digital flight controls unrivaled in terms of their precision and responsiveness; an ability to negotiate the most challenging runways (such as London City); data fusion and automatic recovery mode for optimal safety; high-performance and intuitive connectivity; optimized flight paths to help reduce the aircraft’s environmental footprint.
Launched in February 2018 for entry into service in 2023, the Falcon 6X completed its first flight on March 10, 2021, paving the way for its certification.
Designed as much for everyday tasks as for long-haul flights (5,500 nm), it redefines the flying experience, enabling the traveler to work and relax in an ergonomically designed cocoon, the product of a meticulous attention to each and every detail. Boasting the widest and tallest cabin in its category, the Falcon 6X took away top prize at the International Yacht & Aviation Awards for Private Jet Design, as well as a Red Dot Design Award.
The Falcon 8X is the crown jewel of the Falcon customer experience currently in service. Its cabin sets the standard when it comes to quality, comfort and soundproofing. Its redesigned interior features seamless connectivity thanks to the Innovative Cabin System (ICS). The Falcon 8X has a range of 6,450 nautical miles, enabling non-stop flights between Hong Kong and London.
The Falcon 2000LXS is the latest addition to the Falcon 2000 series, our most successful range. This extremely versatile business jet has a range of 4,000 nm and an excellent low-speed performance that enables it to access a huge number of airports.
Our military aircraft help defend a number of countries around the world, while our business jets enhance corporate efficiency. These are crucial long-term challenges. Our proven operational support solutions are tailored to the specific requirements of each user.
We support 1,000 military aircraft and 2,100 Falcon business jets in some 90 countries. We work closely with our customers, both civil and military, to ensure efficiency, responsiveness, cost-effectiveness and innovative solutions. We support our customers on an ongoing basis, today and far into the future, by maintaining the tools and expertise needed to service our planes over the decades of their operating lives.
The 3DExperience platform ensures digital continuity from design right through to manufacturing and support. Our support solutions are based on software modules common to both Falcon and military aircraft.
Our big data approach to support, based on Dassault Systèmes’ Exalead technology, allows us to share all data concerning the service lives of our aircraft and fleets. It enables cross-functional analyses and predictive maintenance models. The digital twin approach, which compares the actual aircraft’s performance to its digital model, further increases our forecasting capabilities, thus improving aircraft fleet availability.
Our optimized support solutions for military aircraft fleets are based on long-term commitments to aircraft availability. In France, the Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter fleets are covered by these vertically-integrated maintenance contracts: namely, the ten-year Ravel contract for Rafale (since May 2019); and the fourteen-year Balzac contract for the Mirage 2000 (since December 2021). Maritime patrol ATL2s enjoy similar support under the ten-year Océan contract (since September 2020). Under these agreements, we are responsible for providing equipment and systems to the French Air and Space Force; similar arrangements are in place for our export customers.
In addition, our customers benefit from the high-level training we provide for pilots and maintenance technicians, thanks in particular to our Mérignac Conversion Training Center (CTC).
We are committed to ensuring that our customers are able to conduct their missions safely and with peace of mind. Members of our Falcon Family faced with a crisis have seen firsthand just how seriously we take this commitment.
We provide services that are tailored to our customers’ specific needs. We offer a range of FalconCare by-the-hour support programs (Essentials, Elite and Select), which are designed to meet the unique operational needs of each user.
Our FalconResponse support service is available around the clock and provides rapid response in the event of an AOG.
Since November 2022, we have been the sole provider of support for the French government’s Falcon fleet, with a long-term contract that guarantees aircraft availability.
We provide a genuinely global business aircraft support network. The acquisition, in 2019, of the maintenance (MRO) businesses of ExecuJet, TAG Aviation (in Europe) and Ruag has expanded our presence in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
In 2022, we announced the opening of three major facilities, which will be able to cater to our next-generation business jets: in Melbourne, Florida, serving North America; in Dubai, UAE, serving the Middle East; and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, serving Asia.
As soon as it enters service, the Falcon 6X will be covered by an integrated and responsive support system. Our staff, facilities and spare parts inventory are all fully prepared, and our network of service stations is geared up to welcome the latest generation of business jets.
Wingspan: 10.9 m Length: 15.3 m Height: 5.3 m Empty weight ≈ 10 t Maximum takeoff weight: 24.5 t External stores capacity: 9.5 t
Wingspan: 10.9 m Length: 15.3 m Height: 5.3 m Empty weight ≈ 10.5 t Maximum takeoff weight: 24.5 t External stores capacity: 9.5 t
Wingspan: 9.1 m Length: 14.3 m Height: 5.4 m Empty weight: 8 t Maximum takeoff weight: 17.5 t External stores capacity: 6.2 t
Wingspan: 9.1 m Length: 14.3 m Height: 5.4 m Empty weight: 8 t Maximum takeoff weight: 16.5 t External stores capacity: 5.7 t
Wingspan: 26.3 m Length: 24.5 m Height: 7.9 m
Wingspan: 21.4 m Length: 20.2 m Height: 7.1 m Empty weight: 11.3 t Maximum takeoff weight: 19.4 t External stores capacity: 2.2 t
Wingspan: 21.4 m Length: 20.2 m Height: 7.1 m
Wingspan: 37.5 m Length: 31.7 m Height: 10.8 m Empty weight: 25.7 t Maximum takeoff weight: 46.2 t
Wingspan: 12.5 m Length: 10 m Height: 2.5 m Empty weight: 5 t
Wingspan: 33.6 m Length: 33.4 m Height: 8.4 m Range: 7,500 nm (13,890 km)
New York → Shanghai Los Angeles → Sydney Paris → Santiago
Wingspan: 26.3 m Length: 24.5 m Height: 7.9 m Range: 6,450 nm (11,945 km)
Beijing → New York Paris → Singapore São Paulo → Los Angeles
Wingspan: 26.2 m Length: 23.4 m Height: 7.9 m Range: 5,950 nm (11,020 km)
Paris → Hong Kong Beijing → Seattle New York → Buenos Aires
Wingspan: 25.9 m Length: 25.7 m Height: 7.5 m Range: 5,500 nm (10,186 km)
Los Angeles → Geneva Beijing → San Francisco São Paulo → London City Airport
Wingspan: 21.4 m Length: 20.2 m Height: 7.7 m Range: 4,750 nm (8,800 km)
Mumbai → London City Airport Geneva → New York Hong Kong → Sydney
Wingspan: 21.4 m Length: 20.2 m Height: 7.1 m Range: 4,000 nm (7,400 km)
Dubai → London City Airport New York → Copenhagen Singapore → Dubai