Page 22 - INDO DEFENCE 2022 - DAY 1

DASSAULT

AVIATION

AIMS AT

NEW

RAFALE

MARKETS

Dassault Aviation is eyeing new markets
for its Rafale fighter jet which has rap-
idly notched up export orders from seven
export customers. SE Asia remains a key
market for the airframer and Indonesia
added to Dassault Aviation’s rapidly swell-
ing orderbook in February with an order
for 42 aircraft. The order from the Tentara
Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara
(Indonesian National Army Air Force) also Rafale F4 for the Future suite, upgraded frontal sector optronics
includes a complete turnkey solution, (OSF), integration of the Thales TArgeting
with a comprehensive package covering second-hand aircraft and six new fighters. Long-range Identification Optronic System
aircrew training, logistical support for sev- Croatia placed orders for 12 second-hand (TALIOS) and upgraded RBE2 AESA radar. It
eral Indonesian air bases, and a training Rafales in November 2021 will also accommodate future evolutions of
center with two Full-Mission Simulators. At The Rafale F3-R Standard entered French ASMP-A, SCALP, AASM 1000 kg weapons.
the signing ceremony in Jakarta, Dassault Air and Space Force service in 2021 and
Aviation announced that Indonesia had incorporates MBDA’s Meteor long-range The Rafale F4 will deliver greater connectiv-
signed up for 42 latest-generation Rafale air-to-air missile and Thales Talios new-gen- ity to increase the aircraft’s data processing
aircraft, which could indicate Indonesia’s eration targeting and laser designator pod. capacity, improved air-to-air and air-to-
preference for the Rafale F4 which is the All Rafales delivered since 2013 are fitted ground armament, enhancements to the
fourth development standard of the French with the RBE2 Active Electronically Scanned radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and
fighter jet. Array (AESA) radar. The Rafale F4 will see ensure greater availability and operational
the addition of Helmet-Mounted Display readiness of the aircraft through introduc-
Dassault Aviation has now found custom- capabilities, integration of Mica NG Air-to- tion of a fault prediction and diagnostic
ers for the Rafale in Egypt, India, Qatar, Air Missile (AAM) and the 1,000-kg AASM aid system. French Rafale F4s will enter
Greece, UAE, Indonesia and Croatia. The Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon. There service in two stages in 2023 and 2025
United Arab Emirates contract for 80 Rafale will also be significant upgrades to the and provide a technological, industrial and
F4s which was inked in December 2021, Rafale’s Spectra Electronic Warfare (EW) strategic leap over earlier Rafale configu-
was the largest military export order ever rations: F1 (specific to first French Navy
secured by Dassault Aviation. France has aircraft), F2 (air-to-ground and air-to-air
ordered a total of 192 Rafale’s, purchased capabilities), F3 and F3R (extended ver-
in successive orders (the latest order for satility). The Rafale F1 Standard featured
12 aircraft was placed after the sale of 12 only air-to-air capabilities and became
second-hand Rafale aircraft to Greece). operational in 2004 with the French Navy
Egypt was the first Rafale export customer on Rafales launched from the Charles de
and has ordered 54 aircraft - 24 in February Gaulle nuclear aircraft-carrier during oper-
2015 and 30 more in May 2021. One addi- ation “Enduring Freedom”. The F2 Standard
tional Rafale was ordered in August 2021 to entered service with the French Air Force
replace an aircraft that damaged in a 2019 and the French Navy in 2006, adding both
accident. Qatar has ordered 36 Rafales – air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The
24 in May 2015 and 12 in December 2017. Rafale F3 was qualified by the French MoD
India has taken delivery of all 36 Rafale air- in 2008 and added the AREOS reconnais-
craft ordered in September 2016. Dassault sance pod, anti-ship capability with the
Aviation is proposing the Rafale-M for an AM39 EXOCET (implemented in Rafale B, C,
Indian Navy requirement for 57 Multi-Role and M), and the nuclear capability with the
Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) and the ASMPA. The first Rafale F3 was delivered to
Rafale F3-R for an Indian Air Force require- the Air Warfare Centre and Operational Test
ment for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft & Evaluation Centre (CEAM) of the French
(MRFA). Greece placed orders for 18 air- Air Force in mid-2008 at Mont-de-Marsan
craft in January 2021, divided across 12 Air Base.
22 | NOVEMBER-02-2022 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS