Aircraft database
Fighter Jets of France
Every combat aircraft in French service, from the Rafale to the Mirage family, with specifications and current status.
Updated October 2026
What fighter jets does France operate?
France operates around 250 combat aircraft across its Air and Space Force and Navy. The Dassault Rafale is its frontline fighter, flying from land bases and the carrier Charles de Gaulle, supported by Mirage 2000 variants. France is one of the few nations that designs and builds its own fighters.
Frontline types
2
In active service
Combat aircraft
~250
Air and Space Force and Navy
Fifth-generation
0
No stealth type in service
Next generation
FCAS
With Germany and Spain
Fighter jets in service today
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
F-47
Manufacturer
First flight
2028
Top speed
Mach 2.0
KAI KF-21 Boramae
Manufacturer
First flight
2022
Top speed
Mach 1.81
J-35/FC-31
Manufacturer
First flight
2012
Top speed
Mach 1.8
J-20 Mighty Dragon
Manufacturer
First flight
2011
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-57 Felon
Manufacturer
First flight
2010
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-35 Flanker-E
Manufacturer
First flight
2008
Top speed
Mach 2.25
F-35 Lightning II
Manufacturer
First flight
2006
Top speed
Mach 1.6
JF-17 Thunder
Manufacturer
First flight
2003
Top speed
Mach 1.6
HAL Tejas
Manufacturer
First flight
2001
Top speed
Mach 1.8
J-10C
Manufacturer
First flight
1998
Top speed
Mach 1.8
F-22 Raptor
Manufacturer
First flight
1997
Top speed
Mach 2.25
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Manufacturer
First flight
1995
Top speed
Mach 1.6
Mitsubishi F-2
Manufacturer
First flight
1995
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Eurofighter Typhoon
Manufacturer
First flight
1994
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-34 Fullback
Manufacturer
First flight
1990
Top speed
Mach 1.8
Saab Gripen
Manufacturer
First flight
1988
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Dassault Rafale
Manufacturer
First flight
1986
Top speed
Mach 1.8
AV-8B Harrier II
Manufacturer
First flight
1978
Top speed
1,070 km/h
Mirage 2000
Manufacturer
First flight
1978
Top speed
Mach 2.2
MiG-29 Fulcrum
Manufacturer
First flight
1977
Top speed
Mach 2.25
Su-27 Flanker
Manufacturer
First flight
1977
Top speed
Mach 2.35
MiG-31 Foxhound
Manufacturer
First flight
1975
Top speed
Mach 2.83
Panavia Tornado
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 2.2
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 2.05
F-15 Eagle
Manufacturer
First flight
1972
Top speed
Mach 2.5
A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)
Manufacturer
First flight
1972
Top speed
Mach 0.56
F-14 Tomcat
Manufacturer
First flight
1970
Top speed
Mach 2.34
SEPECAT Jaguar
Manufacturer
First flight
1968
Top speed
Mach 1.6
Mirage F1
Manufacturer
First flight
1966
Top speed
Mach 2.2
F-5 Tiger II
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
Mach 1.63
F-4 Phantom II
Manufacturer
First flight
1958
Top speed
Mach 2.23
MiG-21 Fishbed
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 2.05
Bombers and support aircraft
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
B-21 Raider
Manufacturer
First flight
2023
Top speed
Mach 0.8
Yak-130
Manufacturer
First flight
1996
Top speed
Mach 0.93
B-2 Spirit
Manufacturer
First flight
1989
Top speed
Mach 0.95
Aermacchi S-211
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
667 km/h
Tu-160 Blackjack
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
Mach 2.05
Aermacchi MB-339
Manufacturer
First flight
1976
Top speed
898 km/h
BAE Hawk
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 0.84
L-39 Albatros
Manufacturer
First flight
1968
Top speed
750 km/h
U-2 Dragon Lady
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 0.67
B-52 Stratofortress
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
Mach 0.86
Retired fighter jets
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
Tornado GR4
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 1.3
F-111 Aardvark
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 2.5
F-117 Nighthawk
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
Mach 0.92
F-104 Starfighter
Manufacturer
First flight
1954
Top speed
Mach 2.01
Concorde
Manufacturer
First flight
1969
Top speed
Mach 2.04
SR-71 Blackbird
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 3.3
Blackburn Buccaneer
Manufacturer
First flight
1958
Top speed
1,038 km/h
English Electric Lightning
Manufacturer
First flight
1954
Top speed
Mach 2.0
F-105 Thunderchief
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 2.08
Avro Vulcan
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
Mach 0.88
X-15
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
Mach 6.72
Harrier Jump Jet
Manufacturer
First flight
1967
Top speed
1,175 km/h
Folland Gnat
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
1,118 km/h
F-86 Sabre
Manufacturer
First flight
1947
Top speed
1,105 km/h
MiG-17 Fresco
Manufacturer
First flight
1950
Top speed
1,145 km/h
Fouga Magister
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
715 km/h
L-29 Delfin
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
655 km/h
T-33 Shooting Star
Manufacturer
First flight
1948
Top speed
966 km/h
de Havilland Vampire
Manufacturer
First flight
1943
Top speed
882 km/h
Hawker Hunter
Manufacturer
First flight
1951
Top speed
Mach 0.94
Gloster Meteor
Manufacturer
First flight
1943
Top speed
965 km/h
MiG-15 Fagot
Manufacturer
First flight
1947
Top speed
1,077 km/h
MiG-25 Foxbat
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 2.83
Me 262 Schwalbe
Manufacturer
First flight
1941
Top speed
870 km/h
How French air power is structured
Two operating services
The French Air and Space Force and the Navy both fly the Rafale, the Navy from the nuclear carrier Charles de Gaulle.
Strategic independence
France builds its own fighters, engines and missiles so it never depends on another nation to use them, a policy dating to the 1960s.
What comes next
The Future Combat Air System, developed with Germany and Spain, is planned to replace the Rafale from around 2040.
Can you fly a French fighter jet?
French military aircraft are not available for civilian flights. You can fly the L-39 Albatros, the jet once flown by the Breitling display team, from Sion and the Italian Alps.
France fighter jet questions
How many fighter jets does France have?
France has around 250 combat aircraft across the Air and Space Force and the Navy. Its main fighter jet is the Dassault Rafale.
What is France’s main fighter jet?
France’s main fighter jet is the Dassault Rafale, a twin-engine 4.5-generation multirole fighter.
Does France build its own fighter jets?
Yes, France builds its own fighter jets. Dassault designs and builds the Rafale, with French engines and weapons.
What is FCAS?
FCAS, the Future Combat Air System, is a sixth-generation programme run by France with Germany and Spain to replace the Rafale.
Who else flies the Rafale?
Export customers for the Dassault Rafale include India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the UAE and Indonesia.