Egypt to more than double its Rafale fleet
The Egyptian Air Force will increase its fleet of Dassault Rafale fighters to 54 aircraft. (Photo: Dassault)
Dassault receives follow-on order for 30 Rafales for the Egyptian Air Force.
Dassault on 4 May confirmed a follow-on order from Egypt for 30 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft.
‘This new order complements the first acquisition of 24 Rafales signed on February 2015 and will bring the number of Rafales flying under Egyptian colours to 54, making the Egyptian Air Force the second [largest Rafale fleet] in the world after the French Air Force,’ the aircraft manufacturer announced in a statement.
Florence Parly, French Minister of the Armed Forces, stated on social media: ‘I welcome the sale of 30 Rafale to Egypt, a strategic partner. This export success is crucial for our sovereignty and the maintenance of 7,000 industrial jobs in France for three years.’
The delivery schedule for the 30 extra Rafales remains undisclosed at the time of writing. In February 2021, Shephard reported that the Egyptian Air Force was finally able to arm its Rafale fleet with the MBDA SCALP long-range stand-off attack missile. Issues around US export licences for SCALP components had put the Rafale follow-on order in limbo.
The follow-on order for 30 aircraft far exceeds the original offer for 12 more Rafales at an estimated unit cost of $110 million apiece (according to Shephard Defence Insight).
If this value is translated in this new contract, the procurement cost of 30 Rafales alone would be about $3.3 billion. However, the overall value of the deal will be higher than that if (as is likely) munitions and other related equipment and services are included.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Rafale (Additional units) [Egypt]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom]()
The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom
As the Pentagon accelerates procurement of low-cost, lethal UAVs through its Drone Dominance Program, emerging suppliers will need to demonstrate manufacturing capacity, supply chain resilience and reliability.
-
![US Coast Guard faces key procurement decisions after C-130J and MQ-9B orders]()
US Coast Guard faces key procurement decisions after C-130J and MQ-9B orders
The service is updating several parts of its aviation fleet including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and procuring uncrewed aircraft to boost its maritime surveillance.
-
![AUSA 2026: New multiwarhead loitering munition enters increasingly competitive market]()
AUSA 2026: New multiwarhead loitering munition enters increasingly competitive market
Heaviside Industries has unveiled its new Tyr loitering munition at AUSA 2026 in Washington, DC, joining a growing field of manufacturers seeking to capitalise on billions of dollars in anticipated military spending.
-
![Middle Eastern demand opens fresh export prospects for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet]()
Middle Eastern demand opens fresh export prospects for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet
A proposed Saudi Arabian purchase of 48 stealth fighters could signal a broader regional opportunity for the F-35 as European programmes mature.
-
![US military plans multi-UAV trials with Northrop Grumman quantum-navigated Lumberjack]()
US military plans multi-UAV trials with Northrop Grumman quantum-navigated Lumberjack
An undisclosed US military branch is preparing to evaluate multiple Lumberjack Group 3 drones equipped with SandboxAQ’s AQNav magnetic-navigation system. Shephard spoke with Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ to find out more.
