Between High Technology and Attrition, the Fragile Balance of French Aviation
France possesses a top-tier fighter aircraft, but a fleet too thin to absorb attrition and sustain a prolonged air conflict. In Summary With the Rafale, […]
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The Rafale’s zero-zero ejection seat: the pilot’s ultimate safety net
The Rafale’s MkF16F ejection seat can save a pilot even when the aircraft is stationary. Here’s how its pyrotechnic sequence transforms two seconds of violence […]
France Is Preparing for the Post-Rafale Era on Its Own, at a Sky-High Cost
Following the failure of the SCAF program, France is developing a national sixth-generation fighter jet. Dassault has the expertise, but the budget remains uncertain. In […]
The Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean: A Useful or Costly Show of Force
In March 2026, the Charles de Gaulle returns to the eastern Mediterranean. Composition of the carrier strike group, objectives, strike capability, cost, and geopolitical implications. […]
The Rafale, a weapon of non-alignment against US ITAR control
Why Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates are betting on the Rafale to limit US ITAR control, secure their upgrades, and diversify their alliances. In […]
SPECTRA, the Rafale’s invisible weapon that jams and deceives radars
How the Rafale reduces its signature thanks to SPECTRA, an advanced electronic warfare system based on jamming, deception, and active stealth. In summary The Rafale […]
Electric flight controls, the key to controlled instability on Mirage and Rafale
From Mirage 2000 and 4000 to Rafale, electric flight controls have enabled the transition from stable aircraft to deliberately unstable fighters that are more agile […]
The Ukraine-France letter of intent for 100 Rafale fighter jets: promise or smoke and mirrors?
Ukraine and France sign a letter of intent for 100 Rafale fighter jets: a strategic agreement fraught with financial, industrial, and geopolitical doubts. Summary On […]
Rafale: the real reasons behind its late export success
The international success of the Rafale can be explained by France’s technological autonomy, Dassault’s industrial reliability, and the geopolitical refocusing of buyers. Summary Long shunned […]
The Rafale at the heart of an unprecedented information war
The Rafale has been the subject of a vast disinformation campaign orchestrated after the Indo-Pakistani conflict: fake crashes, doctored images, industrial stakes. Summary The Rafale, […]