France’s Air and Space Force expects to receive only two new Rafale fighters in 2027, while additional Mirage 2000-5 aircraft are due to retire. General Jérôme Bellanger warned lawmakers that the service’s combat fleet is already being used at rates more than 15% above planned levels, placing further pressure on readiness across nuclear deterrence, overseas operations, NATO and air-policing duties.
Speaking to the National Assembly’s Defense Committee on Wednesday during scrutiny of the proposed 2027 defense budget, Bellanger described the strain on France’s fighter force. Before summer, about 80% of the fleet was simultaneously committed to nuclear-deterrence training, operations in the Middle East, NATO’s eastern flank, an exercise in Côte d’Ivoire and permanent air-policing missions.
The proposed budget provides €4.4 billion in commitment authorizations and €1.8 billion in payment appropriations for Rafale procurement and modernization, including development of the F5 standard. The figures remain subject to parliamentary approval, and the available plans do not specify delivery dates or recipient units for the two aircraft.
Bellanger called for the next military programming law to reconsider the overall size of the fighter fleet rather than relying on higher utilization of existing aircraft. France is pursuing Rafale F5 as an interim capability while developing the future Avion de Combat du Futur after the collapse of the Franco-German next-generation fighter effort. In May, Bellanger told the Senate that additional Rafales, potentially in the F4 standard, could be needed before F5 enters service.