PUBLISHED on August 13, 2025, 6:51 PM: Key Points and Summary – Dassault Aviation is developing the “Super Rafale,” or Rafale F5, a major evolution of its combat-proven fighter designed to compete directly with the F-35 on the export market.
-Slated for service around 2030, the F5 will feature more powerful M88 T-REX engines, enhanced sensors, and a reduced radar cross-section.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares for take off at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 1, 2025. The continuous rotation of aircraft to Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains flexible and postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to deter acts of aggression. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nathaniel Jackson)
-Crucially, it will be armed with the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile and is designed for manned-unmanned teaming with a new “loyal wingman” drone.
-This ambitious upgrade represents France’s bid to maintain its aerospace sovereignty and offer a credible, high-end alternative to American stealth fighters.
Dassault’s Super Rafale, A Direct F-35 Competitor: What We Know
The Dassault Super Rafale, also known as the Rafale F5, is the next evolution of the Rafale fighter jet, currently under development and slated for French military service around 2030.
It will feature more powerful engines, advanced sensors, improved data links, and a reduced radar cross-section. The F5 will also be equipped with the ASN4G hypersonic missile and is designed to work with a newly developed Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS).
The goal is to go head-to-head in export sales with the American-made F-35, as Dassault Aviation and the French defense industry push to reclaim their standing in global air combat dominance.
Meet The Super Rafale, The F5
Safran is developing an upgraded version of the M88 engine for the Dassault Rafale F5, named the M88 T-REX. This enhanced engine will offer a 20 percent increase in thrust compared to the current M88, reaching nine metric tons (88.2 kilonewtons/19,841 pounds) with afterburners.
The M88 T-REX will improve the Rafale’s performance and capabilities without requiring changes to the aircraft’s airframe, and is slated for integration with the Rafale F5. As of now, however, it isn’t yet known what the performance of the F5 will entail.
The F-5’s upgraded RBE2 radar and electronic warfare suite provide unprecedented levels of situational awareness, with earlier detection and tracking of multiple targets as well as the capability of using several radar modes at the same time.
The F5’s next-generation electronic warfare capabilities, defeating enemy radar and jamming hostile defenses, as well as an impenetrable “self-defense bubble”—a cutting-edge active protection system shielding the jet and allied assets from enemy threats.
Dassault is arming the F5 with the ASN4G hypersonic missile, a nuclear-armed missile, which is a key component of the F5’s offensive capabilities.
The F5 will also incorporate new advanced missile systems—the Future Cruise Missile (FCM) and Future Anti-Ship Missile (FASM), replacing the aging SCALP/Storm Shadow and AM39 Exocet, delivering a devastating long-range strike capability against enemy warships.
Integration with UCAS: A Force Multiplier
The Rafale F5 will be designed to work with a new UCAS, enhancing its collaborative combat capabilities according to Dassault Aviation.
The “Super Rafale” variant will be designed to operate in conjunction with several loyal wingman drones called “nEUROn,” which will be autonomously controlled by the pilots of the F-5.
The F5 pilots will command their drone wingmen in real-time, unleashing precision coordinated strikes, while the nEUROn retains its autonomy, making the Super Rafale a true combat force multiplier.
This “loyal wingman” concept is also in development in efforts by the US, which is pairing its F-35, F-22, and the new F-47 with collaborative combat aircraft. However, France aims to take it a step further by ensuring the Super Rafale stands as a self-sufficient system, with the pilot coordinating both the jet and its drone companion.
Development and Timeline
The development of the Rafale F5 is part of the 2024-2030 French military programming law. The preliminary research phase began last year, with full-scale development scheduled for 2026-27.
The Rafale F5 is expected to be in service by 2030, to keep the Rafale relevant until at least 2060, according to various aviation news sources.
Competing With the US F-35 In Export Sales
Dassault has made it clear that it is gunning for the F-35. France lost most of Europe’s big contracts to the F-35, while it carved out its niche in the Middle East and Asia.
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II taxis during a cross-servicing event at NATO Allied Air Command’s Ramstein Flag 2025 exercise April 4, 2025. Successful cross-servicing at RAFL25 is an example of the importance of integrated logistics and maintenance training that enhances U.S. warfighting readiness by strengthening United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa’s ability to deploy, sustain, and project fifth-generation capabilities across the European theater. (Royal Netherlands photo by Sgt. Maj. Jan Dijkstra)
Dassault hopes this latest variant of its flagship fighter jet will reclaim export markets where it has often been outperformed, especially by the F-35 developed by Lockheed Martin.
The F-35 is generally considered the most advanced, the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter jet in the world. The F-35 gives pilots the critical advantage against any adversary, enabling them to execute their mission and come home safe.
However, while the Rafale F5 promises to be a significant advancement of the F-4, Lockheed Martin isn’t standing pat. The F-35 is slated for major upgrades as well.
There are techniques and capabilities … that were developed for [our NGAD bid] that we can now apply here,” Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said. “We’re basically going to take the [F-35′s] chassis and turn it into a Ferrari.”
A French Dassault Rafale receives fuel from a KC-10 near Iraq, Oct. 26, 2016. The Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter equipped with diverse weapons to ensure its success as a omnirole aircraft. The Rafale has flown in combat missions in several countries including Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and now it’s supporting the liberation of Mosul in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyler Woodward)
Taiclet said souping up fifth-generation fighters like this would allow Lockheed to deliver “80 percent of the capability, potentially, at 50 percent of the cost per unit aircraft.”
The Super Rafale (F5) promises to be a comprehensive combat system designed to maintain French aerospace superiority for decades to come.
The integration with the UCAS and the focus on network-centric warfare highlight the evolving nature of modern air combat and the French commitment to innovation and independence, according to Dassault Aviation.
Regardless of export sales, France appears to be set for decades to come with its fighter fleet.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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