01/30/2016: The video shows the arrival of the first three Rafale fighter jets for the Egyptian Air Force in July 21, 2015.
The first three jets arrived in Egypt in July 2015 as part of the deal, which consists of 24 Rafale jets and a FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Missions) multipurpose frigate. The FREMM frigate, the Tahya Misr, was delivered in June 2015.
The Rafale continues a long tradition of French aircraft serving in the Egyptian Air Force.
“This contract constitutes a new milestone in the cooperation between Dassault Aviation and Egypt since the 1970s – more than 40 years of an exemplary partnership marked by commitment and mutual trust.
After the Mirage 5, the Alpha Jet and the Mirage 2000, the Rafale is the fourth Dassault aircraft to fly in Egyptian colors,” said Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier at the initial ceremony for the delivery of the first aircraft in 2015.
“Egypt is the first export customer for the Rafale, as it was for the Mirage 2000. We are very pleased with this partnership, which over time has shown its solidity and ensured the durability of the historical links between our two countries.” Trappier continued.
For Egypt, the agreement is also a show of support for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew his Islamist predecessor in 2013 and wants to break a US monopoly over arms sales to Cairo. The overall deal with Egypt also includes contracts for missiles and for an FREMM multi-mission frigate from naval group DCNS.
Credit for Video: Daily News Egypt
According to our partner defenceWeb, the Egyptian air force has received a second batch of three Rafales from France.
The aircraft were all two-seat Rafale DM variants – on 16 February 2015, Egypt ordered 16 two-seat DMs and eight single-seat Rafale EMs.
The first three delivered were also two-seaters and arrived in Egypt on 21 July 2015, allowing them to take part in the opening of the expanded Suez Canal in August.
The Rafales will be operated by the 203rd Tactical Fighter Wing ‘Storm’/34 Squadron ‘Wild Wolves’.
The arrival of the second batch of Rafales this month is shown in the video below: