Despite all its advantages, the Dassault Rafale fighter still doesn’t have a special anti-radiation missile for striking air defense systems, after the AS37 Martel was withdrawn from service in the early 90s. This deficiency will be corrected only on the new Rafale F5 version, which should receive a corresponding version of the high-speed Stratus RS missile currently in development.
These plans are confirmed and enshrined in the updated French armed forces armament program until 2030, as Janes writes. As the publication notes, the French air force will receive this armament only in the early 2030s.
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Defense Express recalls that MBDA's Stratus RS (Rapid Strike), which initially had the RJ10 designation, should achieve speeds in the Mach 3-5 range, which will be achieved through a ramjet engine. A radar seeker will be responsible for target guidance. Obviously for destroying radars, it should be combined and work in both active and passive modes. The missile's flight range isn't announced.
According to MBDA's previously announced plans, the missile should go for testing already in 2026. Missile deliveries should begin, according to updated plans, from 2028, with previous plans for 2029-2031. However, missile delivery to the military doesn't yet mean achieving full operational capability.
Let's also recall that development of the supersonic Stratus RS missile is going in one project with development of the subsonic Stratus LO (Low Observable) cruise missile, which was previously designated TP15 and was radically reworked in 2025. The entire FC/ASW development project has been ongoing since 2017.
Moreover, these missiles are tied to the start of French air force receiving Rafale F5, whose service start date is currently defined as 2030. At the same time, France has already given priority to Rafale F5 development rather than replenishing its air fleet with the existing F4 version.
This is precisely why this once again emphasizes the huge difference in capabilities between Dassault Rafale fighter variants, which Ukraine wants to purchase in quantities of 100 units.
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