July 15, 2025: India recently ordered 26 French Rafale jets to use on their two aircraft carriers. These aircraft cost $289 million each, which includes spare parts and maintenance supplies and equipment. Currently India is using Russian MiG-29K jets on their carriers. The Migs were disappointing because of unreliability and inability to sustain carrier operations. The Indian Air Force already has 36 land-based Rafales and are very satisfied with the capabilities and durability of these French aircraft.

The Rafale entered service in 2001 and has seen action in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, Syria, and on the Indian border versus Pakistan. Rafale comes in several models and most are 24-ton twin jet single seat aircraft. There are two-seat versions for training, recon and some ground attack missions. Up to 9.5 tons of weapons can be carried, in addition to an internal 30mm autocannon with 125 rounds. Max speed is 1,900 kilometers an hour at high altitude and 1,390 at low altitude. Combat range is 1,800 kilometers and ferry range is 3,700 kilometers. Max altitude is 15.8 kilometers. Rate of climb is 304 meters a second.

Currently only France, the United States and China produce combat aircraft. Russia used to be a major producer but growing economic problems, made worse by over a decade of economic sanctions shut that down. Eight other countries produce support aircraft or components. South Korea produces a jet trainer that can be armed and used for ground support and developed a combat jet that enters service in 2026. Turkey has developed a jet fighter-bomber and will be producing them by the end of the decade.

All essential components of Rafale, including the engines are manufactured in France.

France has had nothing but hard times trying to find export customers for its Rafale. As one of the few Western alternatives to the United States, Rafale eventually did find export customers, a growing number of them. This currently includes Croatia, Egypt, Greece, India, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia has 42 Rafales on order, as does Serbia which ordered 12.

While one of the more modern combat aircraft in the world, development of the Rafale was delayed by technical problems, and shortages of money. Entering development, just as the Cold War ended meant that there was little enthusiasm to spend billions on an aircraft that would face no real opposition. But, facing the need to eventually replace all those Mirage fighters, development did get restarted, creating an aircraft superior to the American F-15s and F-16s, very similar to the F-18F, but inferior to the F-22 and F-35.

Rafale aircraft have operated from American aircraft carriers since 2010. Back then, the American carrier John C. Stennis and the French carrier Charles de Gaulle operated together off the coast of Pakistan, in support of operations in Afghanistan. Both nuclear-powered carriers supplied bombing and reconnaissance missions for troops in Afghanistan. Aircraft conducted touch-and-go landings on each other’s carriers. Two Rafales did so on an American carrier. Each day, six sailors from each carrier went to the other and spent the day working there, and getting to know the routine. The two carriers participated in a number of training exercises, and a good time was had by all. Not only that, but the French ship carries a good supply of alcoholic beverages, something American warships have not been able to do since 1914. Rafales have landed on American carriers several times. Pilots from both navies have trained on each other’s aircraft. All this is largely the result of the fact that the French carrier, the 38,000 ton Charles de Gaulle was designed along the same lines as American carriers, including the use of a steam catapult. The de Gaulle carries up to 40 aircraft and helicopters.

The French Air Force activated its first squadron of Rafale fighters in 2006. The navy had received ten navalized Rafales two years earlier, for service on the nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The first prototype of Rafale was shown in 1986, and the aircraft should have entered service in the late 1990s. While one of the more modern combat aircraft in the world, development of the Rafale was delayed by technical problems, and shortages of money. So far the French armed forces have only ordered over 300 Rafales. Initially the aircraft sold for about $100 million each and currently the price is nearly $300 million each.