Comprehensive Guide to Rafale Fighter Jets: Ukraine's Potential New Military Asset from France

The Rafale fighter jet initially became operational with the French navy in 2004 (File)

Paris:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Monday that he had signed a letter of intent with France to acquire up to 100 Rafale F4 fighter jets as Ukraine seeks to enhance its defensive capabilities against Russian aggression.

Following this announcement, shares of French defense company Dassault experienced a significant surge.

WHAT IS THE RAFALE?

The Rafale is a sophisticated twin-jet fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation. The French manufacturer describes it as an "omnirole" aircraft, capable of executing various missions including deep strikes, nuclear deterrence, reconnaissance operations, and anti-ship attacks.

The aircraft is available in three configurations: a single-seat model, a two-seat variant operated from land bases, and a single-seat version specifically designed for aircraft carrier operations.

Rafale - a French word that translates to both "a gust of wind" and "a burst of gunfire" - was first deployed by the French navy in 2004, followed by the French air force in 2006. The aircraft has undergone several upgrades, with its most advanced version, the "Standard F5," scheduled for release in 2030.

WHERE HAS THE RAFALE BEEN DEPLOYED?

The Rafale has proven to be commercially successful for Dassault, which reported in October the delivery of its 300th Rafale aircraft. According to the manufacturer, they have received 533 firm orders from France and international governments. Export deliveries commenced in 2015 with Egypt as the first foreign customer.

The fighter jet has participated in combat missions in Afghanistan, Mali, Libya, Iraq, and Syria. However, Pakistan reportedly downed at least one Indian-operated Rafale in May, as reported by Reuters, which dealt a blow to the aircraft's combat reputation.

WHICH NATIONS HAVE PURCHASED THE RAFALE?

In addition to India and Egypt, the Rafale has been acquired by Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Serbia. One of the most substantial orders came from the UAE in 2021, which purchased 80 Rafale F4 aircraft.

WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS?

The Rafale measures over 15 meters in length with a wingspan of nearly 11 meters, and has an empty weight of 10 tonnes.

It can reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,240m) and achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 (1,381 miles per hour).

The French military possesses the capability to equip its Rafale jets with nuclear-capable cruise missiles.