Egypt has reportedly submitted an official request to Dassault Aviation for 24 more Rafale fighter jets, potentially increasing its total fleet to 78 aircraft.

Egypt has submitted an official request to Dassault Aviation to purchase 24 additional Rafale fighter jets, according to a report from the French daily La Tribune. If finalized, this would mark the third such deal between Cairo and the French manufacturer, bringing Egypt's total Rafale fleet to 78 aircraft. Dassault Aviation has declined to comment on the report.

Context of Egyptian Procurement

Egypt became the first foreign customer for the Rafale in 2015 with an initial order of 24 jets, followed by a second order of 30 aircraft in 2021. The 2021 purchase was valued at nearly 4 billion euros and supported by a loan 85% guaranteed by the French government. Cairo is reportedly seeking these additional aircraft to replace its aging fleet of approximately 200 F-16 fighters, some of which date back to the 1980s.

Financial and Technical Challenges

The potential deal faces several hurdles, including financial constraints and production capacity. Previous contracts relied on 10-year loans backed by France, and a 2015 option for 12 additional jets was canceled in 2017 due to reservations from the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. Furthermore, while Egypt may be targeting the newer F-4 model, the Dassault assembly line in Merignac is currently strained by existing commitments to India, Indonesia, Serbia, and the French Air Force.