Dassault Aviation announced the sale of 24 Rafale fighter aircraft to Egypt on 12 February. The deal marks the first completed export agreement for the aircraft, and is a major boon for its manufacturer.
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| Egypt Orders Rafale Fighter Aircraft. |
"I would like to thank the French authorities, who … have provided the political support, without which we cannot make any military export" said Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation stated in the company announcement.
An official contract signature, attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian, is scheduled to take place in Cairo on 16 February.
The arms package is not limited to Rafales however, but also includes a FREMM frigate and an order for MBDA air defence missiles. The total value of the deal is around EUR5 billion (USD5.7 billion).
The rapid conclusion of the sale, which had not been under discussion until recently, is understood to be down to Egypt's desire to gain additional airpower for its military operations in the Sinai. Close relations between Paris and Cairo also played a major role in the award.
Speaking on 8 February the Chief of Staff French Navy, Admiral Bernard Rogel, confirmed the possibility that France's second FREMM, Normandie (D561), currently completing its sea trials, could be handed over to Egypt later this year if its transfer does not impact on the French Navy over the longer term.
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