A precise analysis of the cost of the Rafale, its variations (India, Egypt, Greece) and comparison with other fighter planes. Figures and technical explanations.
The Rafale, Dassault Aviation’s iconic fighter jet, is a major player in the global military aircraft market. Since its first export in 2015 to Egypt, its cost seems to fluctuate from one order to another, raising questions among experts in the aeronautics sector. For example, India paid 7.8 billion euros for 36 aircraft in 2016, or about 216 million euros per unit, while Egypt paid 5.2 billion euros for 24 Rafale in 2015, or 217 million euros each. In 2020, Greece acquired 18 aircraft for 2.5 billion euros, bringing the unit price down to 139 million euros. These differences are not insignificant. They reflect a complex combination of technical, logistical and strategic factors specific to each contract. This article offers a detailed analysis of the reasons behind these variations in the cost of the Rafale, based on figures and concrete examples. It also compares this fighter aircraft with its direct competitors, such as the F-35 or the Eurofighter Typhoon, to better situate its economic and operational position. The objective is clear: to offer a technical and precise understanding to specialists in the field.
The factors influencing the cost of the Rafale
The customization of equipment and armaments
The cost of the Rafale varies greatly depending on the specific requirements of each customer. Each country requires technical adaptations to meet its operational needs. Take Egypt: in 2015, the contract for 24 Rafale included SCALP and MICA missiles, as well as the integration of Lockheed Martin’s Sniper pod, for a total of 5.2 billion euros. This represents 217 million euros per aircraft, including armaments. By comparison, in 2016 India opted for 36 Rafale with Meteor missiles and a regional navigation satellite system (IRNSS), bringing the cost to 7.8 billion euros, or 216 million euros per unit. These differences are explained by the price of the weapons and specific electronic systems. A Meteor missile costs around 2 million euros, and each plane can carry several of them. Adding custom sensors or software drives up the bill.
In 2020, Greece opted for a mixed approach: 12 second-hand aircraft and 6 new ones for 2.5 billion euros. The second-hand Rafales, taken from the French fleet, were already equipped to the F3R standard, reducing adaptation costs. The new ones, delivered with basic armaments, maintained a unit price of 139 million euros. This customization explains a significant part of the differences. Countries that require advanced technologies or complex integrations pay more than those that opt for standardized configurations.
Order volumes and economies of scale
The number of aircraft ordered plays a key role in the unit cost of the Rafale. A large order dilutes fixed costs, such as design or production start-up. In 2021, the United Arab Emirates signed for 80 Rafale at 16 billion euros, or 200 million euros per unit. This high volume has enabled Dassault Aviation to optimize its assembly lines in Mérignac. In contrast, Serbia acquired 12 Rafale in 2024 for 2.7 billion euros, or 225 million euros each. With a smaller order, the fixed costs weigh more heavily on each aircraft.
India is an intermediate case. Its 36 Rafale, although individually expensive (216 million euros), included 10 years of logistical support and pilot training, costs that are difficult to amortize on a small volume. Egypt, with 24 units and an additional 30 in 2021 (3.75 billion euros, or 125 million euros per aircraft), benefited from a series effect on its second tranche. As the volume increases, the unit cost tends to fall, unless expensive options counterbalance this advantage.
Diplomatic negotiations and offsets
Political discussions directly influence the cost of the Rafale. Contracts often include “offsets”, industrial or economic compensation demanded by the buyer. In India, the 2016 contract stipulated that Dassault invest 50% of the contract value (3.9 billion euros) in local industry, notably via a joint venture with Reliance Defence. This arrangement inflated the overall price, as it includes indirect costs other than pure production. Egypt, on the other hand, did not impose such heavy offsets in 2015, which limited the additional costs.
Greece benefited from a tense geopolitical context with Turkey. France, seeking to strengthen its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, offered a competitive price of 2.5 billion euros for 18 Rafale, including lower-cost second-hand aircraft. Negotiations can thus vary the price by 20 to 30%, depending on strategic priorities and mutual concessions.
Comparison with other fighter planes
The Rafale versus the F-35: initial and operational cost
Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II is often compared to the Rafale. Its list price is around 80 million euros for version A (2023 data), well below the 200 to 225 million euros for a fully equipped Rafale. However, the F-35 suffers from exorbitant operational costs: 33,000 euros per flight hour, compared to 14,000 to 16,000 euros for the Rafale (according to the Court of Auditors, 2014, adjusted for inflation). Over 20 years, a squadron of 12 F-35s flying 250 hours a year would cost 990 million euros in maintenance, compared to 420 to 480 million for Rafale.
The F-35 relies on stealth, but its complex maintenance and production delays (11 serious accidents in 7 years) weigh down its record. The Rafale, an omnirole, offers immediate versatility without reconfiguration, an asset for countries such as India or Egypt, which use it in real combat (Chammal, Barkhane). The initial cost of the Rafale is high, but its life cycle is more economical.
The Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon: a European competition
The Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by a consortium (Airbus, BAE Systems, Leonardo), costs around 110 million euros per unit (Saudi Arabia, 72 aircraft for 8 billion euros in 2007, adjusted). Less expensive than the Rafale to purchase, it is, however, less flexible. The Typhoon excels in air-to-air combat, but its air-to-ground capabilities are limited without costly upgrades. Qatar, which operates both (36 Rafale for 7.4 billion euros, 24 Typhoon for 6 billion euros), pays 205 million euros per Rafale compared to 250 million for the Typhoon, including armaments.
The Rafale stands out for its scalability (F3R, F4, soon to be F5 standards) and its ability to operate from aircraft carriers, an advantage that the Typhoon lacks. Its hourly cost, which is 10 to 15% lower according to industry estimates, makes it even more attractive for tight budgets.
The Rafale versus the Russian Su-35: price and performance
The Su-35 of Sukhoi, a low-cost rival, costs approximately 60 million euros per unit (Egypt, 24 aircraft for 1.4 billion euros, contract aborted under US pressure). Less expensive, it offers raw power (speed Mach 2.25 compared to 1.8 for the Rafale), but its electronics and stealth are inferior. The Rafale wins on versatility and reliability, justifying a higher cost for nations that favor technology over quantity, such as Greece against Turkey.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.