One platform, three versions Rafale is designed to meet demanding multirole and survivability requirements, while also satisfying stringent budget and lead-time requirements. Rafale is an extended multirole combat aircraft, featuring low-observability and capable of performing an extremely wide range of missions night or day and in all weather conditions. Using a single basic platform for all variants, Rafale is designed to be compatible with all current and planned armaments. Rafale is available in three basic versions:

• Rafale M : single seater for carrier operationRafale
• B: two-seater, air force Rafale
• C: single-seater, air force.

A fourth generation multi-role combat aircraft In its latest version named Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, the Mirage 2000 is capable of performing the whole array of missions that can be assigned to modern combat aircraft : air defence, air superiority, air-to-ground strike with conventional and precision-guided munitions, long-range strike with stand-off missiles, escort, SEAD (suppression of enemy air defence), elint/recce, maritime strike, close air support and battle area interdiction. Contrary to older generation aircraft, role change requires only routine ground operations lasting a fraction of an hour, such as fitting appropriate weapons and stores under the fuselage and wings. The Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 is flexible enough to carry out swing-role missions, i.e. missions involving more than one role during the flight. The swing-role capability hinges among other factors on the possibility of carrying a mix of air-to-air BVR missiles (Beyond Visual Range) and air-to-surface weapons.