Qatar Down Paid for 12 More Rafale Fighters

PARIS (France), March 30, 2018, Author: Galina Zdravkova (Bm), Photo: Dassault

Qatar down paid for twelve more Dassault Rafale jet fighters, reported Defense News.

“The exercise of the option for the purchase of 12 additional Rafale fighters for Qatar comes into effect today,” Dassault announced on 27th March.

The total number of the Rafale fighter jets of Qatar will become 36 with this new deal, based on an option under a contract signed in May 2015. The previous €6.3 billion deal in 2015 included 24 Rafales (18 single-seat and 6 twin-seat variants), missiles, training pilots, and about 100 mechanics.

Lockheed Martin Sniper laser targeting pods will be integrated in the Rafale fighters. The capability of delivering nuclear weapons and NATO standard communications capabilities will not be included. The latter were included for the needs of the French Air Force and Navy.

The French manufacturer is gradually increasing its monthly output to two Rafales. The current higher production is due to sales not only to Qatar, but also to India and Egypt.

The Dassault Rafale is called an “omnirole” fighter, i.e. capable of performing multiple mission types simultaneously. It is a twin-engine fighter jet, equipped with a wide range of weapons. It is intended for all kinds of air force and navy combat missions.