Egypt had signed a deal to buy 30 Rafale fighter jets for 3.75 billion euro ($4.5 billion). Egypt’s defense ministry confirmed the agreement late on Monday in a statement.
Egypt’s defence ministry said the deal would be financed through a loan to be repaid over at least 10 years, but did not disclose the value of the deal or further details.
Citing confidential documents, Disclose said an agreement had been concluded at the end of April and could be sealed on Tuesday when an Egyptian delegation arrives in Paris.
This deal would be a further boost for the Dassault-made warplane after a $3 billion agreement was finalized in January for the sale of 18 Rafales to Greece.
The Egyptian accord also reportedly covers contracts for missile provider MBDA and equipment provider Safran Electronics & Defense which are worth another 200 million euros.
France’s finance, foreign and armed forces ministries were not immediately available for comment.
France was the main weapons supplier to Egypt between 2013-2017, including the sale of 24 warplanes with an option for 12 more.
Those contracts dried up, however, including deals that had been at an advanced stage for more Rafale jets and warships.
Diplomats said that was as much to do with financing issues over fears about Cairo’s long-term ability to repay state-backed guaranteed loans, rather than any concerns Paris had with the human rights situation in Egypt.
The aircraft has a multi-sensor data fusion, and “has the potential to integrate a variety of current and future armaments.”
Rafale jets in Egypt took part in training activities, securing Egyptian vital areas, operations to combat terrorism, and aviation shows when inaugurating Mohamed Naguib airbase, the largest in MENA region.
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation.
Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions.
The Rafale is referred to as an “omnirole” aircraft by Dassault.
