Qatar may order 24 French Dassault Rafale fighters and upgrade 36 aircraft to F4 standard

The Royal Qatar Air Force has 36 French Dassault Rafale generation 4.5 fighter jets in service. However, Doha may order another batch of aircraft from Dassault Aviation.

Here's What We Know

France and Qatar intend to continue their defence cooperation. The partnership between the two countries is based on the Rafale fighter jet deal. In 2015, Qatar bought 24 aircraft worth $7bn and two years later ordered 12 more units.

According to new information, the Royal Qatar Air Force wants another 24 Rafale fighter jets. The rumours came amid a visit by French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu to Qatar, where he met and held talks with Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Qatar would also like to upgrade its existing fleet of Rafale fighters to the F4.1 standard, a configuration that includes improved avionics, new electronic warfare systems and an expanded weapons package with 1,000kg AASM Hammer bombs.

Note that the Rafale has been popular of late. India recently approved the purchase of 26 Rafale M fighters for aircraft carriers. In addition, Iraq wants to purchase the aircraft from Dassault Aviation.

Source: Reuters