SHAH ALAM: Egypt buys additional Rafales. Dassault Aviation today announced that the Egypt has decided to purchase 30 additional Rafales for its air force. With the new addition the Egyptian Air Force will operate 54 Rafales in the near future, making it the biggest export user of the multi-role aircraft.
It appears that Egypt has leap-frogged us as well in its fighter force after what had happened with the Gowind. That said I am aware that the Egypt is ruled by the military.
From Dassault.
The Arab Republic of Egypt has decided to purchase an additional 30 Rafales to equip its air force.
Saint-Cloud, France, May 04, 2021) – The Arab Republic of Egypt has decided to purchase an additional 30 Rafales to equip its air force.
This new order complements the first acquisition of 24 Rafales signed on February 2015 and will bring the number of Rafales flying under Egyptian colors to 54, making the Egyptian Air Force the second in the world after the French Air Force, to operate such a fleet of Rafales.
It reflects the strategic relation between Egypt and France. It emphasizes also the confidence of the highest Egyptian authorities in Dassault Aviation and their satisfaction with the effective execution of the first contract.
“This new order is proof of the unfailing bond that unites Egypt, the first foreign user of the Rafale, as it was for the Mirage 2000, with Dassault Aviation for nearly 50 years. It is also a tribute to the Rafale’s operational quality, as this is the second time an export customer has chosen to order additional aircraft. Dassault Aviation and its partners would like to thank the Egyptian authorities for this new mark of trust and assure them of their total commitment to meeting their expectations once again,” stated Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
This contract confirms the Rafale’s technological and operational excellence and its export success.
It must be pointed out that the Egypt Air Force also operates a number of fast jets from the F-16s to the Mig-29s.
— Malaysian Defence
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Even the Philippine will leap frog us
Any reasons why Egypt is more inclined towards French equipment? Thanks.
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The French gives soft loans to finance the purchases
Rafale is a pretty expensive piece of kit, even for the French themselves. I don’t know where Egypt got the cash to buy all of these, considering they are having planes from both Russian and Western, I don’t think their economy is in a great shape at the moment. Most probably it’s from US financial aid, although you would think if they are getting US money they are expected to get US hardware
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I think the French are giving them loans to purchase French products the same as the Italians and Russia. Its a variation of the aid the US is giving. Otherwise Egypt will not be buying things apart from US.
Just imagine the loads of money going into those generals pockets…
Shahren – “Even the Philippine will leap frog us” A commonly heard mistaken assumption/cliche but no. Look at the AFP’s requirements; it’s current state and financial abilities. The AFP has been a victim of neglect far longer than the MAF; it’s been starved of funds to a much greater extent.
ASM – “I don’t know where Egypt got the cash to buy all of these, considering they are having planes from both Russian and Western”
For Camp David Egypt was rewarded by being the 2nd highest recipient of U.S. aid after Israel. It’s focus was regime survival and competition against other Arab states.
After the military overthrew the democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood government; the U.S. delayed aid but the grateful cash rich Gulf Arab states provided a lot of cash aid and subsidised a lot of what Egypt bought (including Russian stuff) as a reward. U.S. refusal to even consider a F-35 sale also plays a part.
Egyptian arms purchases in recent decades have been driven by prestige reasons and the need to compete against certain other Arab states. There never was (at least not for a few hundred years) Arab unity and won’t be soon – such unity is a myth.