Egypt to purchase 30 fighter jets from France

The purchase of the Rafale fighter jets is worth US$4.5 billion.

JOHANNESBURG, May 4 (ANA) – Egypt has inked a deal with France to purchase 30 Rafale fighter jets valued at US$4.5 billion, according to Aerotime Hub.

The aviation news website reported on Tuesday that the fighter jets would be manufactured by Dassault.

Rumours of the order came about on Monday, based on information obtained by the online investigative site Disclose.

Aerotime Hub also reported that on April 4, the Egyptian Ministry of Defence confirmed the news on its website.

“Within the framework of the political leadership’s interest in developing comprehensive state forces, Egypt and France signed a contract to supply 30 Rafale aircraft to the Egyptian armed forces, provided that the concluded contract is financed through a financing loan of a minimum duration of 10 years,” the ministry announced.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Tuesday that the order, which follows the 2015 purchase of 24 Rafale jets, would be financed through a 10-year loan, according to a statement by the military seen by the news agency.

AFP also reported that Egypt is the world’s third biggest arms importer after Saudi Arabia and India, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Meanwhile, TRT World has reported that France was the main weapons supplier to Egypt between 2013 and 2017, including the sale of 24 warplanes with an option for 12 more.

Those contracts dried up, including deals for more Rafale jets and warships that were at an advanced stage.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher