French military chief says combat aviation work neglected for years (opex360.com)

• Rafale fleet overused by 15%
• Priority on Rafale F5 standard delays 22 F4 deliveries by two years
• Senate adds €14 billion for more combat aircraft

"France's Chief of Defence Staff, General Fabien Mandon, told a Senate committee that work on the combat aviation fleet has been neglected for years. Under the updated 2024-30 Military Programming Law, priority was given to developing the Rafale F5 standard, delaying 22 Rafale F4 deliveries. The Rafale fleet is currently overused by 15%. The Senate added 14 billion euros to bolster fleet numbers. Mandon advocates for mass-produced low-cost drones."