France warns Rafale fleet overuse and seeks to revise fighter numbers
Written by AI from 1 report listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
France says it is using its combat aircraft more than 15% above planned levels to sustain air security, nuclear deterrence and overseas deployments, and that about 80% of its combat aircraft were committed to the permanent air security posture before the northern summer.
At the end of 2025 France had 184 combat aircraft, including 112 Rafale, 50 Mirage 2000D and 22 Mirage 2000‑5F; it sold 24 Rafale to Greece and Croatia, plans to retire the Mirage 2000, has ordered 42 Rafale F4 to offset departures, and is developing a Rafale F5 for the 2030s with an ACF projected for 2040.