19.01.2010
French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) tied a delivery contract with Dassault Aviation of 60 additional fighters Rafale, informs Defense Aerospace. The contract cost is not reported. According to its terms, French Navy and Air Force will start to receive aircrafts since 2015.
According to expectations, 50 fighters will be handed over to French Air Force, the rest of them – to the Navy. Once the contract was delivered, total amount
Rafale ordered by French defense ministry reached 180. In total, it is planned to commission 286 fighters into Air Force and Navy of the country.
By the end of 2009
Dassault had delivered 82
Rafale fighters to French Ministry of Defense. It is expected that AF and Navy of the country will receive 11 aircrafts in 2011.
In addition, the contract with
Dassault provides upgrade of F1
Rafale version which is currently in service up to F3 variant. The latter will be capable to operate AM-39
Exocet anti-ship missiles and some other types of attached weapons.
Rafale fighter designed late 80-ies has max speed of 2,500 kph and operating range of 1,800 km.
Rafale is armed with one 30-mm gun and capable to carry attached weapons including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.
Source: , photo: assemblage of Rafale fighters (Dassault Aviation)
