France’s defence procurement agency has awarded a series of contracts covering preparatory development activities for the Rafale F5, with production of the new standard scheduled to begin in late 2026. The F5 configuration is intended to provide a substantial technological upgrade to the 4.5-generation Rafale and maintain its ability to operate against increasingly sophisticated threats. Dassault Aviation, Thales, MBDA France and Safran Aircraft Engines are involved in the programme. Planned improvements include GPS-independent navigation, a low-observable data link, a more capable radar and upgraded engine, as well as enhancements to the SPECTRA electronic warfare and self-protection suite. The aircraft is also expected to receive integration for the ASN4G, an air-launched hypersonic cruise missile being developed by MBDA France. The weapon is designed as a nuclear-capable, scramjet-powered system. Rafale F5 qualification is expected around 2033, after which the standard is planned to enter service with the French Air and Space Force and subsequently the French Navy. France does not currently operate a fifth-generation fighter. Its next-generation effort is being pursued through the Future Combat Air System, or FCAS, with service entry not expected before 2040. Navigation and Data ConnectivityDassault Aviation will develop a very-low-drift inertial navigation system using resonant hemispherical gyroscope technology. This will allow the fighter to determine its position, movement and orientation accurately without depending on external navigation signals. Thales will develop a new Inter-Vehicle Data Link intended to provide secure, high-speed communications with a low probability of detection. The link is designed to remain resilient against jamming and maintain connectivity in heavily contested electromagnetic environments. Thales will also develop the RBE2-XG electronically scanned radar. The 2-plane eXtended Generation radar represents a major development of the existing RBE2 AESA system. It is expected to provide increased power and detection range, improved performance against low-radar-cross-section targets and greater computing capacity. These improvements are also intended to facilitate increased artificial-intelligence integration and collaborative combat operations. The radar will incorporate greater resilience, including protection against cyber-related threats, to satisfy requirements extending beyond 2035. Electronic Warfare and Engine ImprovementsMBDA France and Thales will upgrade the Rafale’s SPECTRA electronic warfare and self-protection system, including improved jamming capabilities against increasingly complex threats. Safran Aircraft Engines has received a contract for preliminary design work on the M88 T-REX, an upgraded version of the M88-2. The modification is intended to raise maximum thrust by 20 percent, from 7.5 tonnes to 9 tonnes. The engine will retain the M88-2’s modular architecture and low fuel consumption while incorporating improvements to several internal modules. The wider Rafale programme supports more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs in France and involves over 400 companies across the country.
