France to Upgrade Rafales to F3R Standard before Delivery to Greece

Hellenic Air Force will receive 12 Rafale fighter jets upgraded to the latest F3R standard, in 2021.

Greece is buying 18 Rafale combat jets from France of which 8 would be brand new while the remaining, second-hand ones. First of the jets will arrive in Greece next year.

Greek newspaper ptisidiastima.com, citing LA Tribune, wrote that of the 18 jets, 12 will be of F3R standard.

Dassault announced the first flight of Rafale F3R on September 22. The older Domacles pod is replaced with Talios (TArgeting Long-range Identification Optronic System) new-generation laser designator pod which is manufactured by Thales. The French Air Force announced the initial operational capability of Talios laser designation pod on the Rafale F3-R aircraft in October.

In addition, this version of the jet can carry MBDA Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, some of which Athens is reportedly planning to acquire along with MICA NG and SCALP missiles. A team consisting of officials from MBDA met with Greek officials in early September to discuss supply of missiles and other munitions for the Rafales.

This Rafale variant can also be equipped with laser homing version of the Safran AASM Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon. F3R also includes upgrades to the Rafale sensors and to systems ensuring total interoperability.