A French Air Force's Dassault Rafale B fighter

The French Air Force’s (ALA) first Rafale fighter aircraft has arrived at AAI’s Clermont Ferrand facility in Auvergne, France, to undergo an extensive modernisation programme.

Bearing a serial number C106, the single-seat fighter will be the first to be modified at the Aeronautical Industrial Workshop (AIA), as part of a contract awarded by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) in February 2011. In total AAI will upgrade 52 aircraft to the latest configuration.

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AAI has already completed initial conversion training and operational evaluation of 13 aircraft at the ALA’s Mont-de-Marsan air base, in South-Western France.

The upgrades are expected to improve the aircraft’s air-to-air and air-to-surface attack capabilities, boost its communications and interoperability, as well as enhancing its data exchange capabilities with ground-based troops.

AAI has also completed modification of the ten Rafale fighters to the latest standard in November 2011 for the French Navy.

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Powered by two Snecma M88 turboprop engines, the Dassault Aviation-built Rafale is a delta-wing multi-role jet fighter designed to conduct air-to-air combat, reconnaissance flights and airborne nuclear bombing missions.

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Featuring an advanced avionics suite and an electronic warfare system, the aircraft is also equipped with a laser warning receiver, missile warning, detection systems, jammers and laser designation pods.

The aircraft’s weaponry includes Mica air-to-air missile, AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile and ASMP-A nuclear weapon, as well as Raytheon-built GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs.

A total of 62 Rafale B and C fighters are currently operational with the ALA and have served during combat operations in Afghanistan and Libya.

Image: A French Air Force’s Dassault Rafale B fighter during its flight. Photo: courtesy of Dmitry A Mottl.