Rafale F.3-R qualified by DGA

On 31 October 2018, the Rafale F.3-R variant was qualified by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) after completion of its development by Dassault Aviation and partners in full compliance with contractual performance, schedule and budget. This also enables the French Air Force and Navy Rafales to deploy the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile produced by MBDA, guided by the AESA radar which will be standard on all Rafales delivered since mid-2013. The Rafale F.3-R will also carry the Thales Talios new-generation laser designator pod and the laser homing version of Safran’s AASM Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon.