Currently an F4.1 would be “the best” Rafale that France could have, however given the way the F3R was implemented it will bring almost nothing more (a priori the only addition could be the AASM 1000).
Other standards could be added, notably the F2.2 and the F3.2 but these variants would be very similar to the one we already have in the game (they would not have HMD and less armament: fewer air-to-air missiles and limited or even zero GBU loads).
Concerning the variants, I imagine that at least one maritime variant will be proposed and maybe even a two-seater version.
The HMD has normally been integrated into the F4.1 standard (the F3R should not have it)
Concerning the M and B variants the only difference will be the reinforced front landing gear for the M and the B would have a second seat but otherwise there would not be big differences
so the M would be sturdier but heavier and the B would just be heavier huh? And since both pilots can do both probably better survivability since redundant pilots (it sounds so bad said like that lol)
The Mica NG is not yet in service so for the moment we cannot know on which aircraft series it will be present (some are talking about an F4.2 version for the Mica NG so it is difficult to say for the moment)
We don’t have information on wether it would be retrofitted, but as far as the devs would go, they’d probably introduce the 4.2 directly instead of the 4.1* (correction), since they would be, game wise, absolutely identical if not for the MICA NG.
Tbf enough is known about MICA NG for Gaijin to model it in game if they want as dual pulse motors have likely no chance to ever be modelled in game they’ll just increase the burntimes of booster and sustainer and will try to match MBDA claims about MICA NG range (110-130km) and will nerf it to only 80km max range or something so MICA NG will feel like a real MICA EM and MICA EM will continue to feel like a half MICA.
Except if they finally decide to apply the reports on MICA made by @DirectSupport a year ago so that it becomes more potent and MICA NG won’t be recquired to face AIM120C5 and stuff as AIM120C5 VS fixed MICA EM will just be like current MICA EM VS AIM 120A/B
Depending if more info is revealed about it during 2025 at exhibitions you could expect to see Rafale F5 at some point but current highest standard we could get is F 4.2. Variants of the Rafale B/M may be introduced but as they’d be just heavier Rafale Cs they might skip them. Except if they wan’t to make attackers out of the Bs.
Well gaijin did add proto vehicles made in 2023 in the game so to give life to the game they might just go based on estimations if they have enough infos. Basically regarding how gaijin does things up to this point and with game mechanics the only thing that is required to model Rafale F5 is the RBE2XG performances and specifications. T-Rex program confirmed the intention of industrials to put a 9T thrust engine in Rafale, airframe will be slightly heavier and engines too and based on mockups they’ll give it the ability to carry 10 missiles.
While i admit gettting F5 in WT is far from coming soon it’s not impossible gaijin rushes things on estimations to avoid the vehicles addition to come to a sudden stop. Because unfortunately most players only play for the most modern vehicles so once there is nothing left to add and grind gaijin will lose a vast part of the playerbase.
Though there’s plenty others aircraft to add to top tier: a bunch of hornets, more flankers and fulcrums, mitsubishi f2, tejas, more j fighters for china… Gaijin just has to pick
