The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded the contract for the third phase of the Naval Force IP Network (RIFAN 3) to an industrial consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Naval Group. The contract, valued at up to 480 million euros and spanning a maximum of 10 years, covers the development, deployment, and operational maintenance of the upgraded network.
Airbus Defence and Space has played a key role in developing and deploying communication systems for the French Navy for nearly 15 years. “With RIFAN 3, we are preparing for the next stage—collaborative naval combat, where all assets and platforms are seamlessly networked for enhanced operational effectiveness,” said Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space.
The RIFAN 3 upgrades will be implemented in phases between 2026 and 2030, with deployment on more than 80 naval vessels scheduled between 2028 and 2032. The system will be installed on a wide range of ships, including aircraft carriers, amphibious helicopter carriers, frigates, submarines, patrol vessels, and support ships.
Designed to enhance inter-ship connectivity, RIFAN 3 will introduce high-speed, low-latency transmission technologies, enabling more efficient data exchange in naval operations. The network’s resilience will also be reinforced with rapid reconfiguration mechanisms, ensuring adaptability across different tactical and operational scenarios. To counter growing cyber threats, enhanced cybersecurity measures will be integrated to safeguard communications and operational integrity.
The RIFAN 3 system builds upon its predecessor, RIFAN 2, which was commissioned between 2012 and 2016 by Airbus Defence and Space and its partners. RIFAN 2 unified onboard communication resources, including Syracuse IV, Comcept, commercial satellite constellations (LEO, MEO, GEO), and radio assets. The system ensures secure IP-based communications, supporting classified data exchanges up to ‘secret’ level.
With RIFAN 3, the French Navy is set to enter a new era of secure, high-speed, and resilient naval communications, strengthening its ability to conduct networked combat operations in an increasingly digitalized battlespace.
