France's 2003 defence budget has pushed aircraft modernisation to the forefront of spending, with the cornerstone being a planned order for 59 Dassault Rafale fighters as part of an on-going multi-year procurement. In addition, France has allocated funding for more MBDA Mica air-to-air missiles and for support and serviceability of existing equipment.
Rafale spending stands at €963 million ($963 million) in 2003, accounting for 15% of total procurement expenditure for the year. Total forward commitments for the Rafale programme will hit €4.085 billion, of which €3.12 billion will be allocated to the planned purchase of 13 more fighters for the French navy and 46 for the air force. The remainder will be spent on the 48 aircraft ordered in 1999 and continued F2 and F3 variant development.
Total Rafale commitments now stand at 120 fighters, including 13 ordered in 1997. France is on track to have 86 operational aircraft by the end of 2008. Currently only the navy is flying the Rafale, with 10in-service fighters and 15 more on order from 1999. The 2003 order "will not be the last", as France plans to have 234 air force and 60 navy Rafales, says the defence ministry.
Next year's budget includes funding for a further 650 Mica air-to-air missiles at a cost of €426 million. France intends to buy 1,135 Micas, and at the end of 2002 125 will have been delivered. SCALP EG cruise missile deliveries are set to pick up in 2003, with the first 60 due for service with Dassault Mirage 2000D squadrons.
Around 500 missiles have been ordered - 450 for the air force and 50 for the navy. Work on the EADS LFK Polypheme fibre-optic guided missile is due to step up next year, with €139 million allocated for further development.
Source: Flight International
