Military Space News
AEROSPACE
France's Dassault says upping Rafale warplane output
France's Dassault says upping Rafale warplane output
by AFP Staff Writers
Paris (AFP) Mar 23, 2025

France's Dassault Aviation is looking to ramp up production of its Rafale combat planes, its CEO said on Sunday, after President Emmanuel Macron said the country would increase orders.

European countries including France have been seeking to boost defence spending and increase weapons production in the face of possible US security disengagement and Russian aggression linked to the war in Ukraine.

Macron said on Tuesday that France was going to "increase and accelerate Rafale orders".

Dassault Aviation chief executive Eric Trappier said the company had increased output from one war plane a month in 2020 to more than two per month this year, and was working with suppliers to be able to produce combat planes even faster.

"We are planning to deliver three per month next year, and four from 2028-2029," he told Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper.

"We have heard the president's call and are studying the possibility of ramping up to five Rafale per month. There are no concrete orders yet, but we want to be ready," he said.

However, he did not say when this might be possible.

Trappier said that, if the French government approved, the company would also be "ready to provide its services" to any country reviewing its orders for US-made F-35 combat planes since President Donald Trump took office.

Germany on Friday said it was committed to buying F-35 fighter jets despite reports that it was reconsidering due to worries about an over-reliance on US defence supplies.

But Canada said last week it was reviewing a major purchase of F-35s amid serious tensions over tariffs and Trump threatening to annex the country.

That announcement came two days after Portugal said it, too, was re-examining a possible purchase of F-35 fighter jets.

Trappier said that Portugal had not yet reached out to his company.

Last year, France's air force had 108 Rafale jets, and the navy had 41. France was due to receive 56 additional aircraft before Macron's announcement.

The defence minister last month said the air force needed 20 to 30 more Rafales to face a crisis scenario.

neo/ah/rmb

Dassault Aviation

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AEROSPACE
Electra secures 2200 aircraft pre-orders for hybrid-electric aviation leap
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 20, 2025
Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra), a trailblazer in the Direct Aviation sector, has received 2,200 pre-orders for its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. This order volume, valued close to $9 billion, ranks among the most significant in the Advanced Air Mobility industry. Designed to revolutionize regional aviation, Electra's Ultra Short aircraft merges blown lift technology with hybrid-electric propulsion, enabling it to take off and land within just 150 feet. This capability allows it to serve ... read more

AEROSPACE
Israel military says intercepted missile from Yemen

Israel says intercepted missile from Yemen

France, Italy, UK order more air defence missiles

Space Force accelerates Missile Warning capabilities

AEROSPACE
Kim oversees NKorea's new weapons ahead of Russian security chief visit

Top EU diplomat hails Trump offer to help Ukraine get air defences

Russian barrage kills one, damages hospitals: Kyiv

Russian strike on Ukraine's Odesa port kills four: Kyiv

AEROSPACE
New Antenna Technology Targets Drone Swarm Neutralization

AV secures DIU contract to advance autonomous strike drone deployment

Ukraine drones hit Russian energy sites, Kyiv source says

Moscow targeted by 'massive' Ukrainian drone attack

AEROSPACE
Unseenlabs opens Singapore office to boost Asia Pacific operations

European satellite group ready to step up for Kyiv's military: CEO

Researchers establish new basis for quantum sensing and communication

Rivada and Amentum Collaborate to Enhance Secure Government Communications

AEROSPACE
More kit, better barracks: Germany's military in need of overhaul

US approves sale of $3 bn in munitions, bulldozers to Israel

Denmark and Norway to 'increase cooperation' on defence

Eight soldiers killed in Colombia road accident

AEROSPACE
ReArm Europe? EU re-thinks name after objections; Germany approves 3 bn euros in new Ukraine military aid

Defense Dept. cuts $580M in funding deemed wasteful

What's in Germany's giant spending 'bazooka'?

As Russia looms, EU defence plans fail to quell joint borrowing calls

AEROSPACE
China says seeking to deepen ties with France in 'turbulent' world

Hegseth to make first Asia trip as Pentagon chief

Japan stresses US alliance after Trump cost-cutting reports

Europe shifts gears for the Trump era

AEROSPACE
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.