On 16 February in Cairo, Egypt is to sign an official contract, worth some €4 billions, for the purchase of 24 Rafale fighter-bombers from France. Enough to equip two squadrons of the Al-Qūwāt al-Gawwīyä al-Miṣrīyä and in time to initiate a long-delayed modernization now deemed urgent by Egyptian President Al Sissi, since the Egyptian Mirage 2000 fleet, acquired some two decades ago are now long in the tooth.
Cairo’s choice for the Rafale is described as a mature decision for a truly mature and combat proven aircraft. In fact with no “technology transfer” in mind, the Egyptian Air Force was free to select a reliable modern combat aircraft along with its complete weapons package ready to turn an average Egyptian fighter pilot into a NATO-class jockey fully apt to fight in a modern C4ISTR chain… All this at the tip of his fingers, like any French Air Force Rafale pilot today.
“Dassault Aviation is greatly honoured by the Arab Republic of Egypt’s decision to equip its air force with the Rafale” declared Eric Trappier, President and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “This decision is a continuation of our cooperation that dates back to the 1970s, and has seen the Mirage 5, the Alpha Jet and the Mirage 2000 fly in the colours of Egypt. The Rafale meets the needs of countries that, like Egypt, demand a sovereign air force of the best level. I would like to thank the highest Egyptian authorities for this strategic and historic partnership. Dassault Aviation will be equal to the faith that they have placed in us yet again. I would also like to thank the French authorities, which were behind the Rafale programme, and have provided the political support, without which we cannot make any military exports. I would also like to pay tribute to the skills and know-how of the 7,000 people who work on the Rafale at Dassault Aviation, Thales, Safran and for our 500 subcontractors.”
For the Egyptian Air Force in need of a very potent versatile combat aircraft, the mission system of the Rafale has the potential to integrate a variety of current and future armaments sure to turn the Al-Qūwāt al-Gawwīyä al-Miṣrīyä into one of the Middle-East’s most combat capable air arm. With no foreign restriction, as the Rafale is fully “made in France”, engines and avionics included. Each aircraft for Egypt is said to cost about €165 millions ; this includes weapons and spares.
The Rafale has been cleared to operate the following weapons which have all drawn a strong Egyptian interest:
- The 2500 rounds/min Nexter 30M791 30mm internal cannon, available on both single and two-seaters;
- The MBDA Mica air-to-air “Beyond Visual Range” (BVR) interception, combat and self-defence missiles, in their IR (heat-seeking) and EM (active radar homing) versions. The Mica can be used within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR);
- The Sagem AASM or SBU-34 HAMMER (standing for Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) modular, rocket-boosted air-to-ground precision guided weapon series, fitted with INS/GPS or INS/GPS/IIR (imaging infra-red) guidance kits, or with the upcoming INS/GPS/laser guidance kit;
- The MBDA Scalp long-range stand-off missile;
- The MBDA AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile;
- Standard issue laser-guided bombs;
- The upcoming MBDA Meteor long-range air-to-air missile.
The Rafale’s stores management system is Mil-Std-1760 compliant, something which provides for easy integration of customer-selected weapons. A 10-tonne empty weight aircraft, the Rafale’s total external load capacity is more than nine tonnes (20,000 lbs). Its 14 hard points can hold any munition or external drop tanks.
For sure, the Egyptian Air Force was looking for a real combat capable aircraft, and that is what it will get in two years’ time. Breakdown of the Rafale order is thought to include 8 Rafale CM single-seaters and 16 Rafale BM two-seaters, all based on the latest French Air Force Rafale F3R variant with AESA radar. “M” standing for “Misr” or Egypt in Arabic. The first three aircraft, diverted from French Air Force stock, should be delivered before this summer.
