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Rafale DH
Photo: Indian Air Force · Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India
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RafaleDH

Air Superiority Fighters · France · 1986
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RafaleDH

Rafale DH
Rafale DH Photo: Indian Air Force · Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air-to-Air Lethality
85
Agility
80
Speed
70
Radar & Avionics
85
Range
75
Stealth
60
Survivability
80
Reliability
85
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin France
CategoryAir Superiority Fighters
EraCold War
In service1986
Operators9 countries
Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
78
Air Superiority Fighters MASS Rating
5/30
Cold War
18/832
All-Time
Air Superiority Fighters · 10 axes scored
Air-to-Air Lethality
85
Agility
80
Speed
70
Radar & Avionics
85
Range
75
Stealth
60
Survivability
80
Reliability
85
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Rafale DH
Country
Production
1986–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
78
air superiority fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1986
  • Service Entry Year2001
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleMultirole fighter
  • Generation4.5
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeTwinjet
  • Engine ModelSnecma M88
  • Number of Engines2
  • Thrust (dry, each)50
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)75
  • Thrust-to-Weight1.1
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseYes
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel4,700 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed2,130 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
  • Cruise Speed1,390 km/h
  • Stall Speed220 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,240 m
  • Ferry Range3,700 km
  • Combat Radius1,850 km
  • Rate of Climb305 m/s
  • G-Limit11
  • Takeoff Run450 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length15.27 m
  • Wingspan10.8 m
  • Height5.34 m
  • Wing Area45.7
  • Empty Weight9,500 kg
  • Loaded Weight14,000 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight24,500 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built316
  • Operators6
  • Variants4
▲Service History1MOD.1
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1986Production started
  2. 2015Sale: India (36 units) · $8.8 Mr
40
years in service
9
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Rafale DHSALES4records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
2015India36$8.80 Mr$11.95 Mr
—Egypt54——
—Greece24——
—Croatia12——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE13terms
Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar: a radar system using a phased array antenna to steer and scan electronically.
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Supercruise is the ability of an aircraft to sustain supersonic speed in level flight without using afterburner.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Air Superiority Fighters entry →