Rafale

Sep- 2026 -

24 September

Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter during flight testing as the company evaluates new artificial intelligence algorithms for future cockpit and combat-system upgrades. Image: Dassault

New AI Algorithms Take Flight on Dassault’s Rafale Fighter Jet

Dassault Aviation has flight-tested two new AI algorithms aboard a Rafale fighter jet, bringing the technology closer to potential use in future cockpit and combat-system upgrades.

3 September

Air

A French F-2 Rafale flies over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Jan. 8, 2016. OIR is the coalition intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

Rojoef Manuel

Egypt Seeks Third French Deal for Additional Rafale Jets

Egypt has issued a request for proposal to Dassault Aviation for 24 additional Rafale supersonic combat aircraft.

Aug- 2026 -

26 August

Exercises

Christine Casimiro

Chinese J-16s Engage in Combat Against Egyptian Rafales in Second Joint Drill

China has deployed its J-16 fighters against Egypt’s Rafale combat aircraft for the first time during joint air force drills held in the North African country, spanning mid-August to early September.

Jul- 2026 -

15 July

Technology

Ethan M. Encarnacion

France Gives Rafale a Cheaper Way to Take Down Shahed Drones

France has found a cheaper way for its Rafale fighters to take on drones, pairing the aircraft with laser-guided rockets instead of relying solely on costly interceptor missiles.

14 July

Air

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Rafale F4 Gets a New Radar-Hunting Wingman

The Rafale F4 fighter jet has gained a smarter way to hunt enemy air defense radars after French firms Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI completed a successful flight test of a drone-mounted electronic warfare system.

Jun- 2026 -

9 June

Europe

Christine Casimiro

Rafale Jet Conducts First Supersonic Flight Launch of MICA NG Missile

A Rafale fighter jet has successfully fired the MBDA-made MICA NG missile during its second development firing test, marking the first launch conducted in a supersonic flight configuration.

May- 2026 -

26 May

Technology

Bea Castañeda

Future Combat Air System (FCAS): Europe’s Next-Generation Airpower

Europe's Future Combat Air System represents a shift toward networked warfare. This guide looks at how it integrates platforms, sensors, and data into coordinated operations.

18 May

Asia Pacific

Staff Writer With AFP

Indonesia to Build Up Defense Capabilities With New Aircraft

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said Monday that the Southeast Asian country will continue to build up its defense capabilities as the government handed over equipment, including six French-made Rafale jets to the military.

4 May

Arms

Rojoef Manuel