The French authorities is in talks with Saudi Arabia on promoting Rafale fighter jets to the dominion, France’s protection minister stated on Monday.
Sebastien Lecornu instructed reporters there have been “discussions” between Rafale maker Dassault Aviation and Saudi Arabia a couple of potential sale however gave no particulars.
Weekly La Tribune Dimanche reported that Saudi Arabia – whose air power is usually geared up with American F-15s and Eurofighters constructed by Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain – had requested Dassault for a price estimate for 54 Rafales by Nov. 10.
The Rafale, a twin-engine multirole fighter plane, is a bestseller for the French arms trade and helped push French weapons exports to a document excessive final yr.
France, the world’s third-biggest arms exporting nation after the USA and Russia, bought 80 fighters to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an estimated 16 billion euros ($17 billion) in 2022.
Indonesia, Greece, India, Qatar and Egypt are additionally Rafale prospects.
France has bought greater than half its Rafale manufacturing to this point overseas. Saudi Arabia already stands as a significant purchaser of French weapons.