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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Indonesia inducts Rafale fighters, A400M MRTT airlifter and Falcon 8X in Jakarta

On May 18, Indonesia’s Air Force (TNI-AU) formally accepted and inducted a new batch of aircraft at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, including six Dassault Rafale (four two-seat and two single-seat) plus an Airbus A400M MRTT and four Falcon 8X jets. The handover also showcased integration-ready combat capability with Meteor and AASM Hammer weapons.

2026-05-18T22:24:06.519735-07:00

Space.com

ESA Space Rider advances qualification and testing toward first flight readiness as Dassault VORTEX pursues runway-return reusab

2026-05-06T12:57:24.365123-07:00

AeroTime

Dassault selects Arkadia Space to supply “RCS” propulsion for reusable VORTEX-D spaceplane demonstrator

2026-04-27T07:20:32.597847-07:00

Reuters

Dassault sets two-to-three week deadline to salvage Franco‑German‑Spanish FCAS fighter programme

2026-04-01T01:45:22.332370-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Indonesia inducts Rafale fighters, A400M MRTT airlifter and Falcon 8X in Jakarta On May 18, Indonesia’s Air Force (TNI-AU) formally accepted and inducted a new batch of aircraft at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, including six Dassault Rafale (four two-seat and two single-seat) plus an Airbus A400M MRTT and four Falcon 8X jets. The handover also showcased integration-ready combat capability with Meteor and AASM Hammer weapons.

2026-05-18T22:24:06.519735-07:00

Indonesia inducts Rafale fighters, A400M MRTT airlifter and Falcon 8X in Jakarta

Space.com

ESA Space Rider advances qualification and testing toward first flight readiness as Dassault VORTEX pursues runway-return reusab ESA’s Space Rider is progressing through key test and qualification milestones designed to move the reusable spacecraft concept closer to flight readiness. In parallel, Dassault is developing the VORTEX runway-return spaceplane concept for LEO capability, with the effort positioned as an emerging European reusability path pending funding and demonstrations.

2026-05-06T12:57:24.365123-07:00

ESA Space Rider advances qualification and testing toward first flight readiness as Dassault VORTEX pursues runway-return reusab

DefenseNews.com

Egypt signs for 24 Dassault Rafale fighters—the Rafale’s first international export milestone Egypt’s agreement to purchase 24 Dassault Rafale fighters marks the jet’s first international sale, underscoring how the French platform has struggled to build export demand outside France. The deal expands Rafale’s footprint even as Dassault continues to position the program for new customers.

2026-04-28T15:34:31.654299-07:00

Egypt signs for 24 Dassault Rafale fighters—the Rafale’s first international export milestone

DefenseNews.com

India–France Rafale deal stalls: no agreement signed for 36 jets despite French defense minister visit India and France did not sign any agreement for the Indian Air Force’s proposed purchase of 36 Rafale fighters during French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit. The lack of a signed deal underscores ongoing contracting, timing, and stakeholder alignment challenges around the next Rafale export step.

2026-04-28T14:20:27.555666-07:00

India–France Rafale deal stalls: no agreement signed for 36 jets despite French defense minister visit

AeroTime

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Dassault selects Arkadia Space to supply “RCS” propulsion for reusable VORTEX-D spaceplane demonstrator Dassault Aviation has chosen Spain’s Arkadia Space to provide the VORTEX-D demonstrator’s propulsion system. The selected RCS architecture is based on Arkadia’s ARIEL 250 N thrusters, using hydrogen peroxide as a “green” propellant aimed at improving safety and efficiency for orbital missions.

2026-04-27T07:20:32.597847-07:00

Dassault selects Arkadia Space to supply “RCS” propulsion for reusable VORTEX-D spaceplane demonstrator

FlightGlobal

Dassault Falcon 20 suffers dual‑engine malfunction in icing conditions during NATO exercise A Dassault Falcon 20 supporting a NATO military exercise experienced simultaneous loss of both engines while climbing through 11,000 ft toward 13,000 ft in icing weather on 24 March, French BEA said, citing preliminary information from Hungarian investigators. Authorities have opened a probe and are reviewing flight data.

2026-04-06T23:01:06.231277-07:00

Dassault Falcon 20 suffers dual‑engine malfunction in icing conditions during NATO exercise

Flying Magazine

Dassault unveils Falcon 10X to take aim at North American luxury bizjet market Dassault on Tuesday gave a first look at the Falcon 10X, a long‑range business jet it positions to compete with luxury offerings from major North American rivals. The public reveal advances the program into its market-facing phase as Dassault courts ultra‑premium customers.

2026-04-06T13:45:51.336620-07:00

Dassault unveils Falcon 10X to take aim at North American luxury bizjet market

AeroTime

France to self‑fund Rafale F5 after UAE pulls out of €3.5bn deal over tech‑transfer row France will fund the Rafale F5 development alone after the UAE walked away from a proposed €3.5 billion contribution, La Tribune reports. Abu Dhabi quit negotiations when Paris refused to provide what the UAE described as "meaningful" technology transfers, stalling a potential export partnership.

2026-04-02T02:25:47.387168-07:00

France to self‑fund Rafale F5 after UAE pulls out of €3.5bn deal over tech‑transfer row

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Dassault Aviation News

Indonesia inducts Rafale fighters, A400M MRTT airlifter and Falcon 8X in Jakarta

ESA Space Rider advances qualification and testing toward first flight readiness as Dassault VORTEX pursues runway-return reusab

Dassault selects Arkadia Space to supply “RCS” propulsion for reusable VORTEX-D spaceplane demonstrator

Dassault sets two-to-three week deadline to salvage Franco‑German‑Spanish FCAS fighter programme

News Timeline