Rafale

A look at the jets flying high above the Paris Air Show [PHOTOS]

Breaking Defense's Polish contributor, Bartosz Głowacki, presents a gallery of shots from the aerial exhibition above Le Bourget.

India acknowledges shootdown of its jets by Pakistan during May battles

Gen. Anil Chauhan did not disclose the number of its aircraft that were shot down, but did push back on Pakistani claims that six Indian aircraft were shot down.

India and France shake on contract for 26 Rafale naval fighters, said to cost $7.5B

India initially selected the Rafale Marine in 2023 to replace aging Russian MiG-29 jets, and will be the first export user of the type.

France accelerates rearmament plan, eyes more Rafale fighters and frigates

Financing of the new rearmament plan will depend on “political and budgetary choices” with a war finance meeting, led by Lecornu and Eric Lombard, France’s economy minister, scheduled to take place on March 20.

Serbia, France ink deal for 12 Rafale fighters

President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia was quoted by travelling press saying that his country will received nine single-seat Rafales and three two-seaters, delivered by 2029, with a price tag of €2.7 billion ($2.99 billion). 

Serbia on verge of closing Rafale fighter jet order from France: President Vucic

An agreement would represent a significant shift in the Serbian Air Force — a move to modern Western fighters as it divests of Soviet-era fighter jets, including MiG-21 and MiG-29 platforms.

Dassault, Thales, MBDA bank ‘extraordinary’ 2023 sales, with more projected

Thales, Dassault Aviation and MBDA all conducted their annual investor events over the last two weeks, with the three firms collectively announcing revenues of €27.7 billion ($30.3 billion) in 2023, a massive haul for France’s defense sector.

France details more high-dollar procurements in $21.9B 2023 spending review

For the army, the DGA procurement agency said it has signed a contract worth some €350 million ($378 million) with Nexter for 109 new generation Caesar (Mk II) truck-mounted guns.

New Typhoons for Saudi Arabia? BAE says it’s working with UK on requirements

The apparent confirmation that Riyadh has delivered firm requirements to the UK marks a major step forward on the path to closing the long delayed fighter jet deal.

France places $5.5 billion order for 42 new Rafale fighters

Sebastien Lecornu, the French armed forces minister, said the order “is excellent news for our sovereignty, our security and our armed forces who will benefit from extra Rafales with modernised operational capacities.”

Germany lifts block on Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Saudi Arabia: Reports

Germany had long blocked the sale of the fighters, but now the German foreign minister reportedly said the situation in the Middle East has changed.

In first, Emirati guided weapons to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet

Three different munitions — the Mk81, Mk82 and longer-range Mk83 guided bombs made by EDGE subsidiary Al Tariq — will all be integrated on the fourth generation plane in due course, Al Tariq CEO Theunis Botha told Breaking Defense.

France maps out Rafale exports for Saudi, India, but future fighter tension with Germany lingers

“Germany is sticking to the joint [FCAS] project with France and Spain,” said a German MoD spokesperson. “Media reports that Germany is pulling out are false."

Coalition ops: Northern Edge 2 highlights culture, language challenges

"When you deal with a partner nation (Japan) you have to learn how they're set up. And, also, in this case there's obviously a language barrier," Lt. Col. Jon "Ghost" White, who commands the 366th Air Base Squadron, told Breaking Defense.