As soon as the military programming law was approved, the Minister of the Armed Forces left on July 16 for a five-day trip to Qatar and Iraq. Apart from Ukraine, Sébastien Lecornu wanted to take stock of the defense cooperation between the countries of the Middle East and France.
Among the points discussed in Doha with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani: a possible new contract for Rafale. According The galery, could be 24 aircraft in addition to the 36 ordered in 2015 and already delivered by Dassault Aviation. Following this contract, another option, presented in 2017, involved the purchase of 36 additional aircraft.
Modernize the Qatar fleet
Neither France nor Qatar have yet confirmed anything, but sources familiar with the matter clearly mention Doha’s desire to launch the modernization of its fighter jet fleet.
Territorial priority for Iraq
The Rafales have also been the subject of debates in Iraq.
On the other hand, Baghdad asked France to form 5 of its land battalions. Paris should send between 80 and 100 soldiers to train the 2,100 Iraqi soldiers who make up these “desert battalions.”
Source: BFM TV
