French President Francois Hollande yesterday said Egypt would order 24 Rafale fighter jets, a naval frigate and related military equipment in a deal to be signed in Cairo on Monday worth more than €5 billion ($5.7 billion), the Anadolu Agency reported.
Hollande’s office said in a statement: “The Rafale fighter jet has won its first export contract. The deal will be signed on 16 February in Cairo. I have asked Defence Minister Jean-Yves Odrian to sign on behalf of France.”
The statement said the new equipment “will allow Egypt play its role in maintaining regional stability”.
Earlier in the day, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said: “We must be careful, but I say that things look very good.”
French newspaper Le Monde revealed that the two sides signed a draft agreement yesterday while the final contract will be signed on Monday by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, and French President Francois Hollande or Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Derian.
Rafale is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and also one of the most expensive.
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