French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Sébastien Lecornu, announced the initiation of an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) program, designed to enhance the Rafale F5 standard set to debut after 2030. This milestone was unveiled during a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS) at Saint-Dizier air base, attended by notable figures including General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (AAE), and Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. Minister Lecornu highlighted the strategic importance of this new stealth combat drone, which aims to bolster the technological and operational superiority of the French Air Force by 2033.
The new UCAV will serve as a complementary asset to the Rafale fighter jets, designed to operate collaboratively in complex combat scenarios. Incorporating advanced stealth technologies and autonomous control systems—while still maintaining a “man-in-the-loop” capability—the UAV will have an internal payload capacity and high versatility, allowing it to adapt to emerging threats. This development draws on the lessons learned from the nEUROn program, which serves as Europe’s first stealth UCAV demonstrator. Launched in 2003 and managed by Dassault Aviation, the nEUROn program has achieved significant milestones, including over 170 test flights since its maiden flight in December 2012, validating its performance, timeliness, and budget adherence.
The integration of the unmanned combat aerial vehicle with the Rafale F5 and their future advancements aims to ensure France’s independence and maintain its technological edge in aerial warfare. Echoing the legacy of the Mirage IV, this next-generation platform is poised to play a crucial role in securing the country’s defense capabilities for decades to come. The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. It is referred to as an “omnirole” 4.5th generation aircraft by Dassault.
Expected to enter service by 2030, the Rafale F5 represents a significant leap in the operational capabilities of the French Air Force, designed to address both conventional missions and nuclear deterrence operations in light of rapidly evolving threats. Building on the innovations introduced by the Rafale F4 standard, particularly in connectivity and data processing power, the F5 marks the emergence of the second generation of connected fighters. Sébastien Lecornu, announced that the first orders for the Rafale F5 standard were notified to manufacturers a few weeks ago, during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Strategic Air Forces (FAS), Tuesday, October 8 at the 113 air base in Saint-Dizier.
