Egyptian Air Force surpassed 10,000 flight hours with French Rafales

By TOC

CAIRO, EGYPT — In the presence of senior Egyptian officials and representatives of Dassault Aviation, a ceremony to mark 10,000 Rafale flight hours was held last week at the base of operations, which is home to the Rafale “Wild Wolves” squadron of the Egyptian Air Force.

First part of UAE's 80 Rafale F4 delivery program is in full swing
Photo credit: Dassault Rafale

After the first order in 2015, which made Egypt the first export customer for the Rafale, then the second in 2021, the Rafale crosses a new milestone thanks to the Egyptian Air Force: the first 10,000 flight hours operated by a user other than the French Air Force forces.

This important step confirms the technological and operational excellence of the Rafale and testifies to the quality of training received in France by the Egyptian crews. It also attests to the effectiveness of the systems and personnel put in place by Dassault Aviation to support the deployment of aircraft in the country.

Finally, it illustrates the great skill of the Egyptian Air Force in leading, with ease and fluidity, the transformation of its Rafale pilots and mechanics.

Rafale is a game changer

“Egypt chose the Rafale, which it recognized as a unique ‘game changer’, to ensure its role as a key player on the regional and international stage under full sovereignty, in a demanding geopolitical context. This celebration of the Rafale’s 10,000 flight hours salutes the great prowess of the Egyptian Air Force, the superiority of the Rafale and honors Dassault Aviation, which maintains a strong relationship with Egypt based on trust and cooperation. a commitment of nearly 50 years,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

The Egyptian Air Force currently flies 24 Dassault Rafales. Another 30 French fighters have been ordered from Cairo. Egyptian operates two types of Rafale – Rafale DM which is a two-seater version and Rafale EM which is a single-seat version.

More about Rafale

For the first time, the French presented Rafale to the general public in 2001. Before that, the prototypes make several test flights. In addition to France and Egypt, Croatia, Qatar, Greece, India, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates also operate with them.

Rafale has max takeoff weight: of 24,500 kg [54,013 lb]. The maximum speed at which it can fly is 1,912 km/h [1,188 mph, 1,032 kn] or Mach 1.8 at high altitudes. At a lower altitude, however, its speed is different – 1,390 km/h, 860 mph, 750 kn, or Mach 1.1. The maximum combat range of the aircraft is 1,850 km.

The Rafale is armed with air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-radiation missiles, as well as various types of bombs. Apart from the French, some other Rafale export versions also carry the world’s best air-to-air missile – the MBDA Meteor.

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