Dassault Rafale M
The carrier-borne Rafale — strengthened, hooked and the only fighter aboard the carrier Charles de Gaulle · First flight 1991 · In service 2001
The naval prototype M01 first flew on 12 December 1991, followed by M02 on 8 November 1993. To survive catapult launches and arrested landings the Rafale M has a strengthened structure and undercarriage, an arrestor hook, a "jump strut" nosewheel that kicks the nose up at launch, a built-in boarding ladder and a carrier landing system. It is about 500 kg heavier than the land-based versions, has one hardpoint fewer (13) and, unusually for a carrier aircraft, does not fold its wings.
The Rafale M was first meant to replace the Navy's ageing F-8 Crusaders. Flottille 12F was reactivated on the type on 18 May 2001 and declared operational in June 2004, and the Rafale later took over the strike role of the Super Étendard, becoming the only fighter in the air wing of the carrier Charles de Gaulle. In 2008 six aircraft of 12F operated as part of the air wing of USS Theodore Roosevelt, and French naval Rafales have since trained regularly from US carriers.
The variant also has an export customer: on 28 April 2025 India signed for 26 Rafale M (22 single-seat aircraft and 4 two-seat trainers) to fly from its own carriers.
