France helpless against S-400? Why Paris is terrified of Russia's unbeatable air defence

S-400 Air Defence System: France is working to restore a combat capability its air force allowed to lapse decades ago. The immediate challenge is how French Rafale fighters would locate and attack advanced enemy air defence systems, including Russia’s S-400, in a future war.

The issue came up during a parliamentary hearing on October 14, when General Jérôme Bellanger, chief of staff of the French Air and Space Force, acknowledged that France had abandoned its ability to suppress enemy air defences. The country is now looking at a long-range version of its AASM guided weapon as an interim option, while its next-generation anti-radiation missile is expected to come much later.

AASM stands for Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (a modular air-to-ground weapon). It is also known as th Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER).

The debate involves a capability known in military terminology as the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD). It involves identifying hostile radar and missile batteries, disrupting their operations and attacking them to create safer routes for friendly aircraft.

France’s missing anti-radar missile

The country’s earlier SEAD capability depended on the AS-37 Martel anti-radiation missile, which was used with Jaguar strike aircraft. The missile was withdrawn from service without a direct replacement and left the French Air and Space Force without a dedicated successor for this role.

French defence publication Opex360 wrote on October 15 that Bellanger described the loss of the capability as something that had been “bêtement abandonnée” (foolishly abandoned). He called SEAD a “domaine clef de l’aviation de chasse” or an essential area of fighter aviation.

The absence of a dedicated anti-radiation weapon can complicate operations against modern integrated air defence networks. These systems combine surveillance radars, command centres and surface-to-air missiles to detect, track and engage aircraft over large areas. The S-400 is one such system, with Russia deploying it as part of its long-range air defence network.

France’s problem is therefore not simply a shortage of weapons with long reach. Pilots also need reliable information about enemy radar emissions, suitable targeting equipment and weapons that can strike from outside dangerous engagement zones.

AASM XLR offers an interim option

The French military is looking at the AASM XLR, a long-range version of the AASM guided weapon, to help address the shortfall. It is expected to have a range of around 140 kilometres and allow Rafale crews to attack selected ground targets from a greater distance.

According to Opex360, large-scale production is not expected to begin before 2028. The weapon is aimed at serving as an interim measure until France’s next-generation Stratus RS anti-radiation missile becomes available.

Using the AASM XLR against enemy air defence systems would also require suitable electronic intelligence and targeting equipment. French forces are looking at the ASTAC pod, which can collect information from radar emissions and help identify the location of emitters. The pod was previously used with Mirage F1 aircraft, which have since been retired from the service.

Integration of the AASM XLR for this mission is planned for Rafale aircraft upgraded to the F4 standard or later. At present, Paris has no plans to equip its serving Mirage 2000 fleet with the weapon for this purpose. The proposed plan will depend on the completion of weapon development, aircraft integration and operational testing.

Stratus RS is still years away

France’s longer-term plan hinges on the Stratus RS, a new anti-radiation missile being developed from MBDA’s RJ10 concept. The weapon is aimed at helping the Rafale identify and attack enemy air defence systems and restoring a dedicated capability that the French Air Force has lacked since the Martel’s retirement.

The missile is expected to enter service as part of a future Rafale F5 capability package, along with improved targeting functions and remote-operated platforms. Opex360 puts the expected timeline for this advanced capability at around 2035. 

That timeline leaves the French Air and Space Force using an interim approach while the dedicated weapon is developed.The AASM XLR is designed to address part of the capability deficit, but it cannot by itself restore every element of a specialised SEAD capability.

The issue is relevant to European defence planning as military forces prepare for operations against opponents with layered air defence networks. Aircraft may have to operate in areas protected by long-range missiles and radar systems. Electronic intelligence, accurate targeting and long-range weapons are therefore essential to an air campaign.