After a four year interruption, the French Air Force is set to receive new additions to its fleet in the form of Dassault Aviation’s Rafale. On Dec. 29, 2022, the Mérignac plant of Dassault Aviation delivered the first of these aircraft, tail number B359, to the Direction Générale de l’Armement (French defense procurement agency).
Photo: Dassault
B359 is part of the “tranche 4” order for 60 aircraft which was awarded in 2009. This delivery is a major milestone for Dassault Aviation as well as for the French Air and Space Force, as it marks the resumption of deliveries of the Rafale aircraft to the country.
The interruption in deliveries of the Rafale aircraft to the French Air and Space Force was a result of budget constraints. This led to the production line being focused on fulfilling export orders instead. However, with the recent delivery of the B359 from Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac plant, the French Air and Space Force can expect to receive an additional 27 aircraft as part of the tranche 4 order and 12 aircraft that were ordered in 2021, which will make up for the aircraft sold to Greece.
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