Cairo formalized early, this Tuesday, May 4, a second Rafale contract with France.
Egypt has decided to order 30 additional copies as well as armaments, which will multiply the strike and intervention force of the Egyptian armies.
The latter have already received 24 Rafale delivered by Dassault Aviation *, the manufacturer of the French combat aircraft.
“
I am delighted with the new export success of the Rafale to Egypt.
This decision further strengthens the strategic and military partnership between France and Egypt and constitutes a new export success for France and its defense industry
, ”responded Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces.
Egypt is indeed the first country to trust the Rafale, signing the very first order in February 2015.
Read also: Rafale to change the balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean
“
This new order completes the first acquisition of 24 Rafale signed in 2015 and will then bring the number of Rafale in Egyptian colors to 54, thus making the Egyptian Air Force the second in the world after the French Army. Air and French Space, to operate such a Rafale fleet
”, for its part declared Dassault Aviation.
It is "
proof of the unwavering bond that has united Egypt (...) to Dassault Aviation for nearly 50 years
", adds Eric Trappier, CEO of the French manufacturer.
400 SMEs work for the Rafale program
“
This contract illustrates the strategic nature of the partnership that France maintains with Egypt, while our two countries are resolutely committed to the fight against terrorism and work for stability in their regional environment. It reflects the renewed confidence of our partner in the French aircraft,
”adds Florence Parly. The two countries are in fact aligned in the fight against terrorism and in the face of other regional security issues, in particular in the eastern Mediterranean.
With this new contract, the Rafale confirms its international success, with an order book approaching 150 units, 144 precisely from four customers: Egypt (54), Qatar (36), India (36) as well as Greece (18). "
Through its versatility and its potential for evolution, the Rafale, a French multirole combat aircraft in operational service in our forces, and which has demonstrated its combat capabilities, best meets the current and future needs of the international market
", estimates the Minister of the Armed Forces. Dassault Aviation hopes to sign new orders in the coming months. Indonesia, India (for a new contract), Switzerland and Finland are among the manufacturer's advanced prospects.
This new Egyptian order is good news for the French armaments industry.
And, in particular for Dassault Aviation, Safran, the engine manufacturer of the Rafale, Thales, its electronics engineer, as well as for the MBDA missile which will supply the armaments.
But also for the 400 or so SMEs and the 7,000 employees who work on the Rafale program.
The first aircraft will be delivered three years after the entry into force of this contract.
*
The Dassault group owns the Figaro
