Academy 12346 1/48 RAFALE C - PROVENCE 2012

Academy 12346 1/48 RAFALE C - PROVENCE 2012

During the 1970s, the French armed forces were looking for a new multirole fighter and they initially signed on with four other countries to develop what would become the Eurofighter Typhoon. Unfortunately, the French could not agree with workshare and differing requirements, leading them to break off and work on a French-made solution. A technology demonstrator was built and flown in 1986 and was successful in meeting the needs of the French Air Force and Navy. Unfortunately, production of what became the Rafale was delayed due to budget cuts and changes in priorities after the fall of the Soviet Union, but deliveries of the aircraft to the Air Force and Navy began in 2001. In addition to France, Rafale was also sold to Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, and the UAE. Rafale has seen combat action over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.