Projet de loi actualisant la programmation militaire pour les années 2024 à 2030 et portant diverses dispositions intéressant la défense, n° 2630, déposé le mercredi 8 avril 2026.
L’effort portera sur la connectivité et les capacités offensives : un nouveau missile air-air à très longue portée, successeur du missile METEOR, sera développé avec pour objectif d’armer le standard F4 dès 2030, le standard F5 s’appuiera sur un missile SEAD et antinavire pour contrer les stratégies de déni d’accès, et un effort sera réalisé pour inclure des drones accompagnateurs du Rafale avec des premières expérimentations à l’horizon 2028.
France Completes Rafale Laser-Guided Rocket Firing Trials
France says it has completed flight trials of laser-guided rockets from a Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter as part of its effort to expand capabilities against drone threats.
The trial period was completed on July 7 and should enable the French Air and Space Force to declare a basic operational capability with the system before the end of the month, French defense armaments agency DGA said. With the trials now complete, DGA said July 13 it was ready to deliver rockets, launchers and Talios laser designator pods to the service.
The flight trials involving the 68mm laser-guided rocket took place in response to an urgent operational requirement issued by the French Air Force last year to equip Rafales with a low-cost counter-drone capability. DGA said that after reviewing options, it opted to adapt the technology used on French Airbus Tiger attack helicopters to the fighter application.
France awarded the contract on Dec. 31, 2025, to Dassault and Thales, with various development tests underway since February. The most recent round of test firings took place at DGA’s missile test facility in Biscarrosse.
