Paris (AFP) – France will conclude Monday the first contract for the export of its flagship aircraft, the Rafale, of which 24 copies will be sold to Egypt, ending years of dashed hopes.
“The Rafale fighter won its first export contract”, welcomed the head of state Francois Hollande. “The signing will take place on February 16 in Cairo. I asked the defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, to sign on behalf of France,” he said.
sale includes 24 aircraft FREMM multimission frigate as well as manufactured by DCNS Group for $ 5.2 billion.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defence had indicated Mr Le Drian would go “Monday in Cairo to sign with President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi”.
The CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier thanked Egypt for his “trust” for purchase of 24 Rafale combat aircraft and Paris for the “political support” for export.
“Dassault Aviation will be waiting for you in confidence that they come once again to show us “he said, recalling that this” decision perpetuates cooperation dating back to the 70s. “
Egypt acquired Mirage 5, the Alpha Jet and Mirage 2000, all produced by Dassault Aviation.
Mr. Trappier also thanked “the French authorities, which are at the origin of the Rafale and who provided political support without which there can be no military exports.”
The first sale export the Rafale was conducted in record time.
It all began, according to the Ministry of Defence in September when Mr Le Drian meets Egyptian President in Cairo, which evokes first After the acquisition of Rafale and frigate multi missions.
On return, Le Drian mandate a negotiating team around industrial involved, Dassault Aviation, MBDA for missiles and DCNS and his cabinet.
– quick and critical success for Dassault –
In November, during a visit to Paris, al-Sissi clarify its intentions: 24 Rafale and a frigate. Then he said in January his desire to go fast and invited Mr Le Drian to inaugurate the second with the frigate Suez Canal, on 2 August.
The case is finally buckled this week. Last Friday, the Egyptians give their consent and agree to submit the draft agreement to President al-Sissi, which gives its final green light on Thursday.
This first success is crucial to the manufacturer Dassault Aviation, which should sustain the unit’s production chain, but also for the French state, which supported the defense budget on the sale of the export product.
The Planning Law Military (LPM) and provides explicitly that “export deliveries (are) also planned to achieve a satisfactory production rate.”
Despite its qualities, the Rafale had far failed to sell for export. He had suffered a crushing defeat in Morocco, yet closely linked to France, then lost back to back in Switzerland (2011) and Brazil (2013).
Eric Trappier had from last Saturday indicated in the Figaro that the manufacturer was poised to “succeed the first Rafale export contract.” He also said that other countries in the region could be takers, while Dassault is in negotiations with India since 2012 for the sale of 126 units.
“We have several prospects in the Middle East who are very active, “he said. “We are conducting in-depth work with India in a very complex issue in terms of industrial assembly. And we have more distant campaigns Rafale, including Europe.”
In addition to India, sale of 36 Rafale is currently in negotiations with Qatar, and discussions with the UAE started in 2008 could still succeed.
Finally, the manufacturer has recently opened an office in Brussels to position themselves for the replacement of aging Belgian F-16.
Built in collaboration with Dassault, which oversees 60% of the value of the aircraft, the electronics Thales (22%) and the engine manufacturer Snecma (Safran group 18%), the Rafale is intended for the French combat aircraft until 2040.
Some 500 French companies participating in the program.
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