France initiates development of next-generation Rafale F5 fighter

France has initiated the development of the Rafale F5, a next-generation fighter jet designed to maintain operational competitiveness through the 2040s. The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has issued official orders to Dassault, Thales, Safran, and MBDA to develop critical technologies for the program, which is estimated to cost approximately 3 billion euros.

Key technological advancements for the F5 include the integration of artificial intelligence to support human crews and a passive optical and infrared sensor system, nicknamed ‘Silent Killer’. This sensor aims to detect low-observable aircraft, such as the F-35 or J-20, by utilizing thermal signatures rather than active radar emissions.

Dassault Aviation has already conducted flight tests of new AI algorithms on the Rafale platform, developed both internally and in collaboration with Thales. The main development phase for the F5 is expected to begin in late 2026, with the aircraft projected to enter service in the early to mid-2030s.