The Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), France’s defense procurement agency, has announced the signing of the first contracts to begin the development of the Rafale F5, the next major upgrade of the French Rafale fighter jet. The Ministry of the Armed Forces confirmed this on September 10, marking the start of a significant industrial phase for the program. This upgrade, known as the F5 standard, is intended to modernize the Rafale into a highly connected combat system, with the goal of having it fully operational with the Air and Space Force and the French Navy by 2033. A key part of this upgrade involves the RBE2-XG radar, developed by Thales. This is an advanced version of the existing RBE2 AESA radar, which uses electronic scanning without moving parts to detect targets quickly and reliably. The new radar is expected to offer a longer detection range and improved ability to detect stealth targets, such as aircraft or missiles designed to avoid traditional radar. It will also incorporate onboard artificial intelligence to enable automatic communication between aircraft in flight, reducing the need for pilot intervention. Additionally, the system is expected to offer better protection against cyberattacks. The Rafale’s current engine, the M88-2, will be replaced by the M88 T-REX, developed by Safran Aircraft Engines with support from ONERA, France’s aerospace research center. The new engine will provide 20% more thrust, increasing the aircraft's takeoff power, climb rate, and payload capacity. Despite these improvements, the engine will retain a modular design, allowing technicians to replace faulty components without dismantling the entire engine, which should reduce aircraft downtime for maintenance. Thales and MBDA will also work on the SPECTRA system, which protects the Rafale by detecting and neutralizing threats such as enemy radar or missiles. The upgraded version will be fully digital and designed to counter increasingly sophisticated electronic threats by 2035. Additionally, the Rafale F5 will be equipped with the ASN4G missile, a future nuclear-capable weapon capable of flying at five times the speed of sound, making it nearly impossible to intercept. This missile is expected to replace the current ASMP-A and is part of France’s strategic modernization plan. The Rafale program is a major economic driver in France, employing over 7,000 people directly and indirectly across more than 400 companies. The aircraft has already sold 299 new units and 24 used units to eight countries. The official "production launch" of the F5 standard, which will transition the project from design to manufacturing, is expected to be approved by the end of 2026.