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France plans to significantly expand its Rafale fighter jet fleet to 286 aircraft under the 2026 defense budget, up from the current 225, according to official budget documents.
The Ministry of Armed Forces will order 61 additional Rafale jets for the Air and Space Force and the Navy to meet growing operational demands and evolving security threats, according to La Tribune's reporting of the 2026 budget proposal.
The 2026 budget includes funds to replace two Rafales lost in an Air Force crash in August 2024.
"The target of the program may be adjusted to ensure consistency with the fleet size defined in the Military Programming Law," the Economy Ministry noted in its 2026 draft budget.
The planned expansion represents a significant increase from previous targets. Until now, the overall Rafale fleet was capped at 225 aircraft, as outlined in France's 2013 White Paper on Defense and the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law, comprising 185 for the Air and Space Force and 40 for the Navy.
The current Military Programming Law for 2024-2030 projects a fleet of 178 Rafales by 2030, with a gradual increase to 225 aircraft by 2035. The 2026 budget proposal supersedes these projections.
The new fleet composition under the 286-aircraft plan has not been detailed, but officials expect continued distribution between the Air and Space Force and Navy operations.
The Rafale, produced by French defense company Dassault Aviation, entered operational service with the Air Force in 1998 and the Navy in 1999. The twin-jet fighter aircraft is capable of operating from both aircraft carriers and shore bases.
The multirole aircraft serves as the backbone of French air power, performing air superiority, air defense, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes, and nuclear deterrence missions. The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and the Air Force in 2006.
The aircraft has been combat-proven since 2007, making it one of the most seasoned fighters in operation globally.
The Rafale features a wingspan of 10.9 meters, a length of 15.3 meters, and a height of 5.3 meters. The aircraft weighs 10 tons empty and has a maximum take-off weight of 24.5 tons.
With an internal fuel capacity of 4.7 tons and an external fuel capacity up to 6.7 tons, the Rafale can carry external loads of 9.5 tons across 14 store stations, with five heavy-wet stations.
The aircraft achieves maximum thrust of 2 x 7.5 tons with limit load factors of negative 3.2 gravitational acceleration (g) to plus 9 g. Maximum speed reaches Mach 1.8 at 750 knots with an approach speed of less than 120 knots. Landing ground run is 450 meters without a drag chute, and service ceiling reaches 50,000 feet.
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