Dassault Aviation has completed the 300th Rafale, marking a new milestone for France’s flagship multirole fighter at a time of record industrial momentum.
The announcement, made on October 7, 2025, comes shortly after the company inaugurated a new manufacturing and integration site in Cergy, northwest of Paris, designed to support both Rafale and Falcon jet production.
Dassault described the 300th aircraft as “testimony to the operational, industrial, and commercial success of this combat aircraft, which has no equivalent in its category in terms of versatility and proven effectiveness in operations.”
From domestic skepticism to international validation
Two decades after its entry into service, the Rafale remains a cornerstone of France’s conventional airpower and strategic deterrence, while expanding its global footprint through steady export growth.
A total of 533 Rafales have been firmly ordered by France and eight export customers, with 233 aircraft still to be delivered. Of those, 53 are destined for France as of June 2025. Dassault plans to deliver 25 Rafales this year and gradually increase production to four aircraft per month in the years to come.
This growing backlog includes domestic replenishment orders alongside major export contracts with India, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Serbia, ensuring full utilization of Dassault’s industrial capacity into the 2030s.
The Rafale program is managed by France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and brings together around 400 French companies across the aerospace, electronics, propulsion, and defense sectors. For Paris, the aircraft represents not just a key operational asset but a symbol of industrial sovereignty and technological self-reliance.
Dassault’s ITAR-free (non-restricted by US export legislation) supply chain has become a major selling point for foreign buyers seeking strategic autonomy, while the program sustains thousands of high-skilled jobs across France.
The Rafale entered operational service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air and Space Force in 2006. Export deliveries began in 2015 with Egypt, marking the start of a decade-long export success story that would eventually include Qatar, India, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, the UAE, and Serbia.
Now in its F4 standard, the Rafale continues to evolve with enhanced networking, sensor fusion, and weapon integration. The next F5 version, already in development, will extend the platform’s electronic warfare, drone integration, and combat cloud capabilities, securing its place in France’s future force structure alongside the next-generation fighter developed under the FCAS program.
Future prospects in Asia?
With 300 Rafales now delivered, Dassault’s future prospects appear strong. India’s Air Force is reportedly seeking a direct government-to-government deal for 114 Rafale jets, potentially representing the largest-ever order for the type if finalized. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s defense ministry reportedly expressed renewed interest in Dassault’s fighter as it evaluates long-term replacements for its Mirage 2000 fleet, though no formal discussions have yet been confirmed.
