Le Rafale entre dans l'ère du «combat collaboratif»
The Rafale enters the era of "collaborative combat
By Véronique Guillermard Published on 19/06/2023 at 11:00, updated on 19/06/2023 at 11:10
The flagship of the French air force and naval air arm, the Rafale, is in the limelight at the Paris Air Show, where it will be taking part in flight demonstrations this week. The French fighter jet is coming to the show after an exceptional year in 2022, marked by the signing of 92 orders, all for export. A record year marked by the entry into force, in 2022, of the contract for 80 Rafales signed by the United Arab Emirates, at the end of 2021. And the confirmation by Indonesia of the purchase of six Rafales, a first instalment of the 42 combat aircraft ordered, as well as a contract signed by Greece for a further six Rafales.
The Rafale's international career is far from over. Its manufacturer, Dassault Aviation*, is expecting Indonesia to confirm two further tranches of 18 Rafales each this year, and is also hoping to sign new contracts with India. Observers believe that the visit of Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, who was Emmanuel Macron's guest at the 14 July parade, could provide the backdrop for an announcement along these lines.
Resumption of Rafale deliveries to France
In France, 2023 marks the resumption of Rafale deliveries (12) after a four-year interruption. It also marks the activation of Rafale Tranche V, an order for 42 aircraft placed by the French Ministry of Defence. The aim is to "go all out for the Rafale and maintain this exceptional aircraft at the highest level in the world", as Emmanuel Macron put it in his 2023 New Year's address to the armed forces.
The Rafale has been a "combat proven" aircraft for many years, and since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022 it has been making a name for itself as part of the drive to reassure Europe's eastern flank. And it is getting a new version. Last March, the programme entered a new phase. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) approved the new F4 standard for the French fighter. This standard should bring the aircraft into the era of "collaborative combat".
In 2019, Florence Parly, then Minister for the Armed Forces, signed a €1.9 billion contract for the development of the F4 standard, to enable the Rafale to make "a genuine technological, industrial and strategic leap forward". With the F4 standard, the aircraft enters "the data era", with enhanced connectivity. "The first building block of the F4 standard, the F4.1 standard, includes collaborative air combat capabilities, the integration of the 1000 kg AASM weapon and a strengthening of the aircraft against cyber threats", summarises the Ministry of Defence.
Tests from the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier
Already ordered by the United Arab Emirates, the fourth-generation Rafale will optimise its effectiveness in networked combat thanks to new satellite links, a new secure communications server and a new-generation software-defined radio. This will enable it to communicate within a cyber-protected bubble with all players in theatres of operations, from military satellites to connected vehicles (Griffon and Jaguar armoured vehicles in particular) on the ground, via command centres. And all within the framework of Franco-French operations or in coalition with friendly countries.
Numerous trials of the F4 standard have been carried out by the armed forces and the DGA over the last two years. At the beginning of March, operational trials under real conditions were launched, with the first flight on board the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier. Some forty flights were carried out, enabling this new standard to be evaluated under complex conditions of use, by confronting the Rafale with radar or GPS jamming. "These complex evaluations, involving interaction with operational units, are fully in line with the French Navy's desire to prepare for high-intensity conflicts and the threats present in today's theatres," stresses the French Navy.
All the F3R-standard Rafales of the French Air Force and Navy will gradually be upgraded to the F4 standard. This will not be the last, as there are plans to develop an F5 standard, with adaptation to new-generation missiles, as part of the new 2024-2030 military programming law.
. Let's wait for official test and range announcement.