France has given the go-ahead to Dassault Aviation for a further iterative development of the Rafale combat aircraft, which will enable the integration of a number of new weapons and equipment. Presented to the company by French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on a 10 January visit to the manufacturer's Mérignac plant, the contract will allow Dassault to upgrade the fourth-generation type to a new F3R standard. French air force Enhancements include the integration of MBDA's Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and the latest version of the Sagem AASM Hammer air-to-surface guided munition. Earlier versions were used by the French air force during operations in Libya during 2011, and in Mali during 2013. The newest iteration of Thales's PDL-NG laser designation pod will also be added, says Dassault.