On May 4, Dassault Aviation confirmed that Egypt had signed a new contract for 30 additional Rafale fighter jets (Military News reported). Now, on “Mansoura” Day*, October 14, the 89th anniversary of the Egyptian Air Force, more details have become known.
Egypt had already ordered 16 Rafale DM two-seaters and eight EM single-seaters on February 16, 2015. The first three were handed over just in time for the celebrations to mark the anniversary of the opening of the Suez Canal. In May of this year, the Egyptian Rafale experienced their baptism of fire when they flew attacks against IS positions in neighboring Libya. The new contract is worth 3.75 billion euros, financed by a ten-year loan and guaranteed by the French state, via BNP Paribas SA, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale and CIC. The latter fiscal agreement was signed on May 17 during a visit to Paris by the Egyptian head of state with Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation and President Emmanuel Macron. 
Latest armament standard
According to Lieutenant General Mohamed Abbas Helmy, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, the 30 aircraft will be of F3-R standard and will be equipped with RBE2 AESA radar and modern sensors and weapons. These include Thales Talios laser targeting pods, Safran’s AASM Hammer laser-guided and modular air-to-ground missiles and the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, the new international “high-end device” for engaging over-the-horizon air targets. In February, a delaying ITAR “issue” with the US was also reportedly resolved, allowing MBDA to integrate the Scalp cruise missile, which contains US parts. Dassault will also provide a radio data link that will allow the new Rafale to communicate “silently” with US and NATO partners, as well as with the other non-Western types in the Egyptian inventory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdGpG8Go2Gc The number of Rafales flying under Egyptian colors will thus increase to 54, which will be the largest fleet behind the French Armée de l’Air. The air force of President and ex-Marshal al-Sisi will then be the strongest in Africa, with 13 squadrons of F-16s, two squadrons of Su-35s, two with MiG-29M2s, three with Rafales and two with Mirage-2000s. The latter were originally to be extended by Dassault, but this will probably no longer take place. The Indians have already shown interest in the “Deuxmille” from the Nile, but – as with those from Qatar – this is said to have failed so far due to the rumored price expectations. Independently of this, India has already ordered 36 aircraft (Military News reported), which are currently being delivered. Up to 114 further aircraft (intended for the Indian navy, among others) are being considered and may also be put out to tender worldwide. Qatar has so far received 23 of its 36 Rafale (report), Greece has signed for 18 of them, 12 of them used by the Armée de l’Air. The six new ones will be delivered in spring 2022, the first six overhauled aircraft have been arriving since this July and the second six in 2023. In any case, the Armée de l’Air will have to extend the delivery of its own Rafale aircraft that are still outstanding – Dassault only has one final production line in Toulouse.
It was also confirmed on October 14 that Egypt will receive two Airbus A330 multi-role refueling aircraft, an interest in which has been expressed since 2014. Until now, the EAF could only refuel each other with Rafale and MiG-29M2 using hose reel containers (“Buddy Buddy”).
*In recent Egyptian history, the Battle of Mansoura is an episode that is celebrated every year and held up as Air Force Day. On the afternoon of October 14, 1973, a total of 62 Egyptian MiG-21s and around 120 Iranian F-4 Phantoms and A-4 Skyhawks clashed in an air battle over the base of the same name and the Nile Delta during the Yom Kippur War. Naturally, the results still differ today, with the Egyptians claiming that 17 Israelis were shot down, but it was probably seven or eight. Six MiG-21s were lost during the 53 minutes, three of them due to lack of fuel. The commander of the Egyptian aircraft was the later President Hosni Mubarak.
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