Dassault Aviation reports rising Rafale production, export-led orders and ongoing aircraft upgrades
Dassault Aviation has released updated data on the production and sales of its Rafale multirole combat aircraft, which currently represents one of France’s largest aerospace manufacturing programmes.
Croatia: Rafale fighters to assume NATO airspace protection role from January 2026
From 1 January 2026, Croatia’s Rafale multirole fighters will assume responsibility for protecting national airspace within NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System.
Zelenskyy and Macron sign agreement allowing Ukraine to purchase 100 Rafale fighters by 2035
At the air base in the French city of Vélizy-Villacoublay, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron signed a Declaration of Intent on defence equipment cooperation.
French Rafale fighter jets conduct joint operations with Norwegian F-35s from Ørland Air Base
Several French Rafale fighter jets operated from Ørland Air Base last week as part of a four-day training mission.
Dassault Aviation completes production of 300th Rafale fighter jet, marks key programme milestone
So far, 533 Rafale jets have been ordered by France and eight international customers, with 233 still to be delivered.
Dassault Aviation opens Cergy site for Falcon and Rafale production, replacing Argenteuil plant
Dassault Aviation has inaugurated its new production facility in Cergy, northwest of Paris, at a ceremony led by Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier alongside employees.
![French Rafale fighter demonstrates simulated kill on U.S. F-35A during NATO exercise in Finland [VIDEO]](https://defence-industry.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/French-Rafale-fighter-demonstrates-simulated-kill-on-U.S.-F-35A-during-NATO-exercise-in-Finland-VIDEO-300x262.jpg)
French Rafale fighter demonstrates simulated kill on U.S. F-35A during NATO exercise in Finland [VIDEO]
A Rafale fighter jet of the French Air and Space Force has been shown locking on to a US F-35A Lightning II and “scoring a kill” during NATO’s multinational Exercise Atlantic Trident 25 in Finland.
India considers G2G procurement of 114 Rafale jets under Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft plan
India is preparing to advance a government-to-government proposal to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets under its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme,
Indian Rafale shot down by Pakistani jet using PL-15E air-to-air missile at unexpected range
Indian forces had assumed that the PL-15E could engage targets at a maximum range of approximately 150 kilometres. In reality, the Rafale was reportedly shot down from a distance of around 200 kilometres or more.
First development firing of MICA NG missile successfully conducted from Rafale jet
On 19 June 2025, MBDA, in partnership with the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), Dassault Aviation, and the French Air and Space Army, successfully carried out the first development firing of the new-generation air-to-air missile MICA NG.
Safran reveals M88 T-REX engine with increased thrust for future Rafale upgrades
At the Paris Air Show, French aerospace company Safran has presented the M88 T-REX, a higher-thrust evolution of its existing M88 engine. Designed for future upgrades of the Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jet.
Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture Rafale fuselages in India
Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft fuselages in India.