The French daily newspaper Le Figaro reported that Egypt will receive the first three Rafale jet fighters from France this summer.
The Rafale deal with Egypt entered into force after the company received the first check at the beginning of this week, said Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale jets, during a speech about the company's achievements in 2014, as reported by Le Figaro website on Wednesday.
Trappier mentioned that the three jets will take part in the inauguration of the Suez Canal project on 5 August.
In total, the company will dispatch 24 Rafale jets to Cairo; one plane per month in accorance with the agreement concluded between the two countries, said Trappier, pointing out that Dassault could increase its production to reach 2.5 jets a month if the situation required.
Dassault is also negotiating with India and Qatar over a similar Rafale jets deal. According to Trappier, the company had been negotiating with India since 2012, and the deal is expected to be concluded this year.
The United States has contributed to boosting the Rafale market, especially in Europe, he said, adding that Dassault plans to launch two new models in 2016 and 2017.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
