Six months after being made public, Egypt's second Rafale order has materialized.
"
The contract for the acquisition by Egypt of 30 additional Rafale to equip its Air Force has entered into force
", announced on Monday, Dassault Aviation *, the manufacturer of the French combat aircraft. .
On May 4, Cairo decided to complete its first acquisition of 24 Rafale, signed in 2015. Egypt was indeed the first country to choose the Rafale to modernize its air force.
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In total, therefore, 54 Rafales will be operational within the Egyptian Air Force. This will make this fleet the second in the world, after that of the French armies. “
In a demanding geopolitical context, Egypt has chosen the Rafale to ensure, in full sovereignty, its role as a key player in the regional and international arena. It is an honor for Dassault Aviation as well as for its partners who are fully mobilized to meet the expectations of the Egyptian authorities
”, declares Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation.
This second contract, "
worth around 4 billion euros with the weapons and services, according to
the Hôtel de Brienne, is part of the continuity of the privileged relationship that the two countries have built and then strengthened in recent years.
Paris and Cairo share a common analysis on the fight against terrorism and the maintenance of stability in the regions of southern Europe and of security in the Mediterranean.
Common vision
"
Egypt is the keystone of the preservation of our interests in terms of security and supply of Europe
(in oil, editor's note)
with 20,000 boats, which pass through the Suez Canal every year
", explained -on, last May, in the cabinet of Florence Parly, the Minister of the Armed Forces.
“Egypt offers us support points in the Red Sea with the Berigat air base and overflight authorizations, as part of the fight against terrorism.
"
Cairo and Paris share the same vision on respect for the integrity of the territorial waters, especially in the eastern Mediterranean that Turkey has challenged in recent months.
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This new contract “
strengthens the historical ties forged with Dassault Aviation over nearly fifty years.
It
also testifies to the satisfaction of the Egyptian authorities with regard to the smooth running of the execution of the first contract.
Finally, it confirms the technological and operational excellence
of the Rafale and its export success
, ”explains the manufacturer.
The first deliveries of the 30 Rafales could take place as early as 2024 (three years are indeed necessary to manufacture a Rafale, after the entry into force of the contract).
* The Dassault group owns the Figaro.