With tensions rising in Europe, the Typhoon and Rafale will likely engage in more patrols.
France’s Rafale fighter recently made headlines for its role in defending Poland’s airspace against Russia’s drone incursions. French president Emmanuel Macron elaborated on the incident on X, noting that “The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia’s increasing intimidation.” While the Rafale has certainly surged in popularity over the last few years, this fourth-generation fighter is not the only aircraft of its kind to be deployed by NATO allies amidst Russia’s ongoing Ukraine invasion. Earlier this week, RAF Typhoon jets were dispatched over Poland as part of NATO’s mission to bolster its eastern flank. During this operation, a pair of Typhoons patrolled Poland’s skies, supported by air-to-air refueling aircraft, before returning to Poland the following day. Moscow has ramped up its violations of foreign airspace, forcing NATO members to bolster patrols.
The Rafale
The Dassault Rafale has remained in service for nearly a quarter of a century. Built to perform air supremacy, aerial reconnaissance, interdiction, ground support, and deterrence missions, the fourth-generation platform is a fan favorite among air forces across the globe. The Rafale may not be as stealthy as its fifth-generation counterparts, but the French jet possesses a small radar cross-section, making it more challenging for adversarial aircraft and radar to detect while in the air. The fighter features the Thales-designed RB2s passive electronically scanned array radar and the Saturn onboard ultra-high-frequency radar. In terms of armament power, the jet hosts a multitude of weapons systems, ranging from missiles, bombs, and a 30mm cannon. The French jet can launch a litany of weapons, the Sidewinder, Magic, ASRAAM, and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles; the Apache, HARM, ALARM, and Maverick air-to-ground missiles; and the Penguin 3 and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
The Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon represents another fighter platform widely used by NATO member states. Designed initially as an air superiority aircraft, the jet was collaboratively produced by the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy. This multinational effort that culminated in the Typhoon dates back to the Cold War with the Future European Fighter Aircraft program. The formidable platform is powered by a pair of EJ200 engines, which provide an impressive thrust-to-weight ratio. As detailed by manufacturer Airbus, “At the heart of this state-of-the-art weapon system is its identification and sensor fusion capability, based on the CAPTOR-E AESA radar and the PIRATE FLIR sensor, protected by the PRAETORIAN Electronic Defensive Aid Sub System (DASS). No other fighter has integrated such a large number of European and U.S. weapons, making it combat-ready for any mission.” The Typhoon can pack a punch, equipped with a vast array of weapons designed to handle different targets. From the infrared-guided ASRAAM missile and the Paveway IV GPS air-to-air missile to the Brimstone and long-range Storm Shadow cruise missile, the Typhoon is quite the versatile platform.
As tensions continue to escalate in Eastern Europe, the Typhoon and Rafale will likely engage in more patrols to protect their country’s airspace.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Image: Soos Jozsef / Shutterstock.com
