Qatar expresses its interest in purchasing 24 new Rafale fighter jets from France, as reported by La Tribune. This request was discussed during the recent visit of the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, to the Gulf country.
Qatar aims to enhance its air capabilities by expressing its desire to acquire 24 new Rafale fighter jets from France. According to the information reported by La Tribune, this request was discussed during the visit of the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, to the Gulf country on July 17. If this purchase materializes, these aircraft will complement the 36 Rafale jets already ordered and delivered by the French group Dassault Aviation in 2015.
In addition to this additional order, Qatar also intends to upgrade its existing fleet of 36 Rafale jets to the F4 standard, which will represent the new standard for French Air Force and Navy fighter jets. This move aims to keep Doha’s fleet at the most advanced technological level, aligning its aircraft with the latest French fighter jets.
France had already decided in 2019 to invest 1.9 billion euros to upgrade the Rafale to the F4 standard, a choice also made by the United Arab Emirates, which signed a contract to acquire 80 Rafale F4 jets to be delivered between 2027 and 2030. This modernization will strengthen the operational capabilities of the aircraft by incorporating the latest technologies and weapon systems.
Nexter’s Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie (VBCI) In addition to the potential purchase of new Rafale jets, discussions are underway between France and Qatar regarding the potential acquisition of Nexter’s Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie (VBCI). If this agreement materializes, it would be a significant step for Nexter, which seeks to expand its presence in the export market.
Since its introduction, the French Rafale has achieved notable success in the international market. In addition to Qatar, it has been exported to Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and Croatia. India and Indonesia have also placed recent orders. Discussions are also underway with Iraq, while other countries such as Saudi Arabia, Serbia, and Colombia express their interest in this versatile fighter jet.
