France plans to acquire 13 new Rafale aircraft for the Air and Space Force in 2025, completing the 4T2 tranche and consolidating its strategic air capabilities.
Summary
The Ministry of the Armed Forces has published a report detailing the major equipment expected in 2025 for the Air and Space Force. The delivery of 13 additional Rafale aircraft will complete the so-called 4T2 tranche, bringing the operational fleet to more than 150 aircraft. These aircraft will join the bases at Saint-Dizier and Mont-de-Marsan, helping to maintain consistency in the ramp-up of the F4 standard. In addition to the Rafale, the year will also see the arrival of MALE drones, A330 MRTT refueling aircraft, and modernized air defense systems. This reinforcement comes in an international context marked by the war in Ukraine and increased tensions in the Indo-Pacific. France’s capacity choices confirm the priority given to air superiority, NATO interoperability, and preparation for the future SCAF.
A strategic report from the Ministry of the Armed Forces
The report submitted to the National Assembly and made public in early September 2025 details the planning of major equipment deliveries for the French armed forces. This is an exercise in budgetary transparency provided for by the Military Programming Law (LPM 2024-2030). For the Air and Space Force, 2025 will be marked by a particular focus on the combat fleet, with an emphasis on the Rafale, considered the backbone of French air power.
The LPM provides for an investment of €16 billion over six years for the air component alone, including fighter jets, drones, missiles, and support capabilities. The report specifies that 2025 will be a pivotal year, as it marks the completion of one phase and the preparation for future developments, notably the F5 standard by 2030.
A 4T2 tranche nearing completion
The 13 Rafale aircraft planned for 2025 belong to the 4T2 tranche, which was contracted in 2019. This tranche comprises a total of 28 aircraft, most of which have already been delivered between 2022 and 2024. With these latest units, the French fleet will exceed 150 available aircraft, which will partially offset the gradual withdrawal of the Mirage 2000C and 2000-5.
Each Rafale in this tranche is produced in Mérignac, on the Dassault Aviation production line, before being delivered to the French Air and Space Force. Standard equipment includes the RBE2 AESA radar, the modernized SPECTRA electronic warfare system, and compatibility with the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile. These capabilities enhance the aircraft’s effectiveness in BVR combat, while ensuring enhanced interoperability with NATO forces.
Strengthening operational bases
The 13 aircraft will be divided between the Saint-Dizier-Robinson (BA 113) and Mont-de-Marsan (BA 118) air bases. These two hubs are central to the French Air and Space Force: the former concentrates airborne nuclear forces, while the latter serves as a center for experimentation and evaluation.
Delivery in 2025 will accelerate the ramp-up of the F4 standard, which incorporates software enhancements, new data links, and improved connectivity with allied systems. These capabilities are essential for air superiority missions, as well as for ground support and expeditionary operations.
A response to international strategic pressure
The decision to strengthen the fleet in 2025 must be viewed in an international context marked by a significant deterioration in the security environment. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the crucial role of fighter jets in air defense, deterrence, and support for ground troops. At the same time, China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific and growing tensions with Russia are pushing France to ensure the availability of its fleet.
The 13 new Rafales will strengthen France’s permanent deterrence posture, as well as its rapid projection capability to external theaters. They will enable France to maintain a consistent operational format, while preserving a margin for intensive crew training and instruction.
Extended capabilities with the F4 standard
The Rafales delivered in 2025 will be directly integrated into the F4.1 standard, the first stage of an evolution that is set to continue until 2030. This standard introduces enhanced connectivity via secure data links, better use of sensors, and increased integration of drones into air maneuvers.
Pilots will also have new collaborative combat aids at their disposal, enabling them to share tactical situation information in real time. This ability to create a “digital bubble” around patrols is an asset when facing adversaries equipped with sophisticated access denial systems.
A global effort beyond the Rafale
The ministerial report emphasizes that 2025 will not be marked solely by the Rafale. The Air and Space Force is also set to receive two A330 MRTT Phénix refueling aircraft, bringing the total to 20. These aircraft are essential for extending the endurance of fighter jets and ensuring long-range power projection.
At the same time, the delivery of European MALE drones (Eurodrone program) will begin in the test phase, while Mamba ground-to-air systems will undergo software upgrades. These investments reflect a comprehensive approach aimed at combining air power, strategic autonomy, and integration into the European defense network.
An industrial and strategic signal
The delivery of 13 additional Rafale aircraft in 2025 also sends a strong signal to the French aerospace industry. Dassault Aviation, Safran, and Thales are confirming their ability to produce and deliver according to the set schedule, while maintaining a busy export order book (Greece, Croatia, Egypt, India, Indonesia).
This industrial dynamism contributes to France’s credibility on the international stage. The availability of a modern, interoperable fleet supported by a solid industrial base is a strategic asset in a context of increased competition between major powers.
Towards the future F5 standard and SCAF
The arrival of the Rafale in 2025 is part of a trajectory that should lead to the F5 standard by 2030. This will include human-machine cooperation functions, escort drone management, and even greater connectivity. The F5 paves the way for integration into the Future Air Combat System (SCAF), a Franco-German-Spanish program scheduled to enter service in 2040.
The continuity between current and future standards ensures a smooth transition for the Air and Space Force, while maintaining consistency between operational readiness and industrial planning.
A turning point for French air superiority
The year 2025 will therefore mark a significant milestone in the modernization of the French fleet. The 13 Rafale aircraft expected to be delivered will consolidate a credible deterrent posture, strengthen NATO interoperability, and prepare for the transition to the future SCAF. In an unstable international environment, France is thus confirming its choice to invest in air superiority as a pillar of its defense strategy.
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