3. Dassault Rafale – France
Producing company: Dassault Aviation
The French Air and Space Force, the French Navy, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, and the Indian Air Force are the main users.
Program Cost per Unit: $100–120 million*; 51.94 billion*
Dassault Aviation designed the twin-engine, multirole Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft. Dassault has been producing these aircraft since the 1980s; as of 2021, 237 had been produced. Armed with an extensive armament, the Rafale is designed to perform a multitude of tasks, such as interdiction, air superiority, in-depth strike, ground support, aerial reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence.
©Shutterstock/Soos Jozsef
The Rafale is unique among European fighter planes in that it is produced almost exclusively in one nation. Nevertheless, Dassault declared in 2018 that the Rafale would be phased out in favor of a brand-new aircraft it would name the “New Generation Fighter.” Since the NGF isn’t anticipated to replace the Rafale until 2030–2040, it is a very long way off.
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