France has initiated the development of an advanced variant of its renowned Rafale fighter jet, aiming to surpass the capabilities of the American-made F-35. Starting in 2024, Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, will work alongside the French government to create the “Super Rafale,” or Rafale F5, which is projected to be fully operational by 2030. The French government and Dassault Aviation are betting that this new variant will help them reclaim the lucrative export markets where they have faced stiff competition, particularly from Lockheed Martin’s F-35.
The F-35, developed by the American defense giant Lockheed Martin, has dominated global fighter jet sales in recent years, especially in European countries, many of which are close neighbors of France. The F-35’s stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and integration with NATO systems have made it the preferred choice for several nations, overshadowing the Rafale in numerous competitions. Despite its undeniable success in the Middle East and Asia, with high-profile sales to countries such as India and Indonesia, the Rafale has struggled to maintain its footing in the increasingly competitive European market.
In recent years, Dassault Aviation has found itself on the losing end of bids in countries such as Switzerland and Finland, where the F-35 was chosen over the Rafale due to its perceived technological superiority. These setbacks have pushed France to rethink its strategy and push for an upgrade that can match and even surpass the F-35’s offerings, especially as more European countries look to modernize their air forces with fifth-generation fighters.
The Rafale F5, or “Super Rafale,” is not just an incremental upgrade; it represents a paradigm shift in how fighter jets are designed and operated. Unlike its predecessors, the F5 will not only be a highly capable multi-role fighter, but it will also be designed as part of a broader combat system that integrates artificial intelligence, advanced drones, and cutting-edge weaponry. Dassault Aviation envisions the Rafale F5 as a fully integrated Air Combat System—operating within a “system of systems” approach that will allow for greater flexibility and mission adaptability.
One of the most notable advancements in the Super Rafale program is its integration with autonomous drones, specifically the “nEUROn” loyal wingman drones. These drones will operate alongside the Super Rafale, flying in formation and supporting the fighter in combat operations. Although these drones will be controlled by the Super Rafale pilots, they will retain a significant degree of autonomy, allowing them to make real-time decisions and react to battlefield conditions independently. This combination of manned and unmanned systems promises to increase the Rafale F5’s operational capabilities, giving it a strategic advantage over adversaries.
The loyal wingman drones will play a crucial role in force multiplication, where a single fighter jet can conduct complex missions with the support of several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By integrating these drones, the Super Rafale can carry out a variety of missions—including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes—while minimizing the risk to pilots and maximizing the effectiveness of each mission.
One of the primary areas where the current Rafale variants have been perceived as lacking is in their ability to effectively carry out SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) missions. SEAD operations are critical for neutralizing enemy radar systems and surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites, ensuring the safety of fighter jets in hostile environments. To address these shortcomings, the Super Rafale will be equipped with advanced radar jamming and self-defense systems designed to create a “self-defense bubble” around itself and the systems involved in its operations.
This self-defense bubble will not only protect the Super Rafale but also extend protection to other aircraft or assets operating in conjunction with it. This capability is essential for modern air combat, where the ability to neutralize enemy defenses quickly and effectively can determine the success of an entire operation. The jamming radars equipped on the Super Rafale will target enemy air defenses and other electronic threats, allowing it to operate more freely in contested airspace.
By addressing this critical weakness, Dassault hopes to position the Super Rafale as a viable alternative to the F-35 in environments where SEAD capabilities are paramount, such as potential conflicts in Eastern Europe or East Asia, where adversaries possess sophisticated air defense systems.
The Super Rafale will also feature significant upgrades in its weaponry, moving beyond the munitions used by current Rafale variants. As part of a collaboration between France and the United Kingdom, the Rafale F5 will carry the Future Cruise Missile (FCM) and the Future Anti-Ship Missile (FASM). These next-generation weapons are expected to offer greater range, precision, and lethality than the SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles and AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles currently used by the French military.
One of the most strategically important upgrades for the Super Rafale will be its ability to carry hypersonic nuclear missiles, specifically the ASN4G, which will replace the existing ASMPA (air-sol moyenne portée) missiles. These hypersonic missiles will enhance France’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, ensuring that the country maintains a credible second-strike capability in the face of evolving global threats. Given the rising geopolitical tensions and the increasing prominence of hypersonic weaponry, this upgrade will be critical in maintaining France’s defense posture in the coming decades.
The introduction of these advanced missiles will further elevate the Rafale F5’s standing in the international market, positioning it as a formidable fighter capable of meeting the diverse needs of modern air forces. With the FCM and FASM, the Super Rafale will be able to carry out both air-to-ground and anti-ship missions with unparalleled precision, enhancing its multi-role capabilities.
In addition to its enhanced weapons systems, the Rafale F5 will incorporate a state-of-the-art targeting pod that combines the features of the “Talios” and “Reco NG” pods currently used by the Rafale F3R and Mirage aircraft. This hybrid targeting system will provide the Super Rafale with advanced targeting and reconnaissance capabilities, allowing it to identify and engage targets with greater accuracy at longer ranges.
The Talios pod, used by the current Rafale F3R and F4 variants, is already one of the most advanced targeting systems in the world, capable of delivering high-resolution imagery and targeting data in real-time. By integrating these capabilities with the Reco NG pod, the Super Rafale will further enhance its ability to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, giving commanders a clearer picture of the battlefield and allowing for more effective decision-making.
This upgrade will be particularly valuable in asymmetrical warfare scenarios, where the ability to detect and engage smaller, more elusive targets—such as terrorist cells or insurgent groups—is critical. The enhanced targeting capabilities will also make the Super Rafale more effective in conventional warfare, where the ability to engage enemy forces at long range can provide a decisive advantage.
The Super Rafale is being developed as more than just a fighter jet. According to French defense analysts, it will be part of a larger integrated entity known as “Club Rafale.” This system-of-systems approach represents the future of air combat, where individual platforms—such as fighter jets, drones, and ground-based assets—work together as a cohesive network, sharing data and coordinating actions in real-time.
This networked approach will allow the Super Rafale to operate seamlessly with other platforms in the French military and allied forces, increasing its effectiveness in joint operations. The goal of the Club Rafale is to ensure that the fighter jet can operate as part of a broader combat ecosystem, where information is shared instantaneously, and missions are carried out with precision and coordination.
The Super Rafale’s ability to integrate into this system will be a key selling point in international markets, where interoperability with NATO and other allied forces is increasingly important. As more countries look to build integrated defense systems, the Rafale F5’s compatibility with these systems will make it a more attractive option for potential buyers.
The French Air Force is currently operating the Rafale F3R variant, with plans to transition to the Rafale F4 in the near future. However, the focus is now shifting to the long-term development of the Rafale F5, which will continue through 2030 as part of France’s Military Planning Program. This ambitious timeline reflects France’s determination to develop a fighter jet that can compete with—and potentially surpass—the F-35 in global sales.
By investing in the Super Rafale, France is not only seeking to enhance its own military capabilities but also to bolster its defense exports, which are a crucial part of its economy. The Rafale program has already proven to be a significant source of revenue for Dassault Aviation, and the development of the Rafale F5 is expected to secure new contracts in regions such as Asia, the Middle East, and potentially Europe.
As France embarks on the development of the Super Rafale, it is clear that this new variant represents more than just an upgrade—it is a bold statement of intent. Dassault Aviation is determined to reclaim the market share lost to the F-35, and the Rafale F5, with its cutting-edge technologies and integrated combat system, is at the heart of that strategy.
