Dassault Plans New French Fighter Jet, the "Super Rafale," by Mid-2030s
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The French company Dassault is developing a new fighter jet. It is being called the "Super Rafale".
The Rafale is an existing French combat plane. The new jet would be a more advanced version of it.
Dassault says the new fighter could be ready between 2033 and 2035, with 2034 as a likely target date.
Éric Trappier, the president of the Dassault group, spoke about the project at an event called REF 2026.
REF is a major meeting focused on French defence and industry. Defence means protecting a country from danger.
At the event, Trappier said that French industrial companies are "totally committed" to supporting their armed forces.
He stressed close cooperation between defence companies and the military, which includes the army, navy, and air force.
No detailed technical information about the new jet has been shared yet. The project appears to be at an early stage.
Still, the announcement suggests France is planning ahead for future combat aircraft beyond the current Rafale fleet.
The timeline of around a decade shows how long it can take to design and build new military technology.
Vocabulary8 words
- Dassault
- a French company that builds military and civilian planes
- fighter jet
- a fast plane built for fighting in the air
- president
- the top leader of a company
- defence
- actions taken to protect a country
- industry
- companies that make products, like planes or weapons
- industrial
- relating to companies that produce goods
- military
- the army, navy, and air force of a country
- combat aircraft
- planes designed for fighting in war
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A new French fighter jet 2. In 2033–2035, around 2034 3. They are totally committed to supporting the armed forces
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The French company Dassault is developing a new _____.
It is being called the "_____".
The Rafale is an existing French _____ plane.
Dassault says the new fighter could be ready between 2033 and _____.
Éric Trappier, the _____ of the Dassault group, spoke about the project.
He spoke at an event called _____ 2026.
REF is a major meeting focused on French defence and _____.
Trappier said French industrial companies are "totally _____" to supporting their armed forces.
He stressed close cooperation between defence companies and the _____.
No detailed _____ information about the new jet has been shared yet.
Discussion questions
- Why might it take about ten years to build a new fighter jet?
- Why do you think governments plan military technology so far in advance?
- What could "total commitment" between industry and the military mean in practice?
- Do you think announcing plans early, before details are ready, is a good strategy? Why or why not?
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