Paris Air Show 2025: Safran confirms development of higher-thrust M88 engine for Dassault Rafale
A model of the Safran M88 engine that powers the Dassault Rafale displayed at the Paris Air Show 2025. (Janes/Sam Wise)
Safran Aircraft Engines is developing a higher-thrust version of the Safran M88 engine that powers the Dassault Rafale, a Safran official confirmed to Janes during the Paris Air Show 2025.
“The M88 next generation, called the M88 T-REX, will deliver 9,000 kgf (88.2 kN or 19,841.6 lbf) of afterburning thrust,” the official said. This is a thrust increase of over 20% compared with the current-generation 7,484.3 kgf (73.4 kN or 16,500 lbf) M88 engine.
The M88 T-REX engine is intended to be available for the future Rafale F5 standard and is expected to enter service by 2030.
“The M88 currently weighs [about] 900 kg; the M88 T-REX is supposed to be lighter with more thrust,” the Safran official said. Janes assesses that the M88 T-REX could then provide a higher thrust-to-weight ratio compared with its predecessor, eventually contributing to increased performance for the future Rafale.
According to Safran, the fundamental changes to the M88 T-REX engine compared with the current engine will be kept to a minimum to support an easy transition for its operators. The six modules of the M88 will remain the same, the official added.
The main modifications on the M88 engine will be to the low-pressure compressor, the materials of the high-pressure turbine blades, and the exhaust nozzle section, the official said.
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