While waiting for the Scaf, the Rafale continues to establish itself as the most popular European combat aircraft for export. Since 2015, Dassault Aviation has sold almost 300 around the world. The year 2023 could be the year of a powerful new acceleration.
According to The galerySaudi Arabia is very interested in the French fighter. An order for 100 devices, possibly as many as 200, is being discussed. The economic headline even reveals the preparation of a visit by Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation to Riyadh to start talks. Currently, the Saudi Air Force is equipped with American F-15s and Eurofighter Typhoon, the European aircraft developed by the British with Germany, Italy and Spain.
Saudi interest in the Rafale is based on several factors. The kingdom asks for devices that do not depend on the American regulations on arms sales, nor those of Germany. With the Itar (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), the United States restricts access to defense-related materials, technologies, and data for foreign countries.
mistrust of berlin
As for Germany, the embargo on arms exports to Riyadh applied after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 has generated mistrust towards Berlin. Even the visit of Olaf Scholz and a large delegation of German industrialists last September did not improve relations between the two countries.
A final argument would also work in favor of France. This is the contract for the 80 Rafale signed by the United Arab Emirates last April for an amount of 36,000 million euros.
For Scaf, it is not a contract, but a partnership. always according to The galerySaudi Arabia would consider participating in the future project European aircraft if the deal with Germany fell through.
A very unlikely scenario. First, since the recent agreement reached between Dassault and Airbus, which should materialize with the signing of a contract before the end of the year. But also because this combat system has a European vocation. Isn’t the entry of a Middle Eastern country into this program likely to change its nature?
Source: BFM TV
