France’s Dassault Aviation said it delivered 26 Rafale fighter jets in 2025, exceeding its annual production target and underscoring sustained global demand for the multirole combat aircraft despite broader uncertainty in the defence aerospace sector.
In a statement, the company said the deliveries comprised 15 aircraft for export customers and 11 for the French Armed Forces. The total surpassed Dassault’s original plan to deliver 25 Rafales during the year and marked an increase from 2024, when the manufacturer delivered 21 jets — 14 to France and seven to overseas operators.
Dassault also reported improved performance in its business aviation segment. The company delivered 37 Falcon business jets in 2025, up from 31 in the previous year, though slightly below its target of 40 aircraft. The Falcon line remains a key contributor to Dassault’s overall revenues, alongside its military programmes.
On the order side, Dassault said export customers placed orders for 26 Rafale fighters in 2025, compared with 30 export orders in 2024. While marginally lower than the previous year, the company described demand as “robust and resilient,” reflecting continued confidence in the Rafale’s operational versatility and long-term support ecosystem.
As of December 31, 2025, Dassault’s Rafale backlog stood at 220 aircraft, unchanged from the level reported at the end of 2024. However, the composition of the backlog has shifted further toward exports. Of the total, 175 jets are now destined for international customers, while 45 are on order for the French Armed Forces, highlighting the growing importance of foreign sales to the programme’s production stability.
The Rafale is a twin-engine, multirole fighter designed to conduct air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance and nuclear deterrence missions. It is operated by the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy and has been exported to a wide range of countries, including India, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
Reflecting its stronger-than-expected delivery performance, Dassault said it now expects its net sales for 2025 to exceed €7 billion (around $8 billion), raising earlier guidance. The company’s full annual financial results, including detailed figures on revenue, order intake and backlog, are scheduled to be released on March 4, 2026.
