Dassault Rafale F3R/F4 Fighter Jet

Full Specifications

Dassault Rafale F3R/F4 Multirole Fighter Jet

The Dassault Rafale F3R/F4 represents France’s most advanced evolution of the Rafale multirole combat aircraft, designed to maintain operational superiority across air, land, and maritime theaters. Built by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale serves as the backbone of the French Air and Space Force and Navy, while gaining momentum in the export market due to its versatility, sustainment efficiency, and robust mission systems.

Advanced Multirole Capability

The F3R and F4 standards elevate the Rafale into a fully networked, sensor-rich platform capable of air-to-air dominance, deep strike, close air support, and reconnaissance. The F3R upgrade introduced the RBE2 AESA radar, Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, and enhanced Talios targeting pod, significantly boosting beyond-visual-range engagement and precision-strike capability.

The newer F4 standard incorporates advanced connectivity, improved Spectra electronic warfare suite, upgraded helmet-mounted display, enhanced engine durability, and AI-assisted diagnostics to reduce maintenance cycles.

Performance & Armament

Powered by two Snecma M88-4E turbofans, the Rafale reaches speeds above Mach 1.8 with excellent agility and high-alpha performance. It supports a broad weapons inventory, including MICA NG, Meteor, SCALP-EG, AM39 Exocet, AASM Hammer precision bombs, and a 30mm GIAT cannon. Its ability to carry both air-to-air and air-to-ground loads in a single sortie enables flexible mission tasking.

Operational Use

Combat-proven in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria, and the Sahel, the Rafale remains one of the world’s most dependable multirole fighters. The F4 variant aims to secure the aircraft’s relevance into the 2040s as France transitions toward the next-generation FCAS program.

Dassault Rafale F3R/F4 Price

Pricing varies by configuration and support package, but U.S. analysts estimate the Dassault Rafale F3R/F4 at $110–$135 million per unit, depending on sensors, weapons, and sustainment requirements. Although not in U.S. service, the aircraft is often referenced as a benchmark against American 4.5-generation platforms.