Dassault Aviation has delivered the first Rafale to the air force of Qatar, in a ceremony, which was held in Mérignac (near Bordeaux), the site of final assembly of the fighter aircraft that the French, in the presence of Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, deputy prime minister of Qatar and minister of State in charge of defence, Geneviève Darrieussecq, State secretary to the minister for the Armed forces, as well as Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation (*).
This first delivery follows the signature, in may 2015, the contract for the purchase of 24 Rafale as well as the exercise of an option for 12 additional aircraft in December 2017 in the framework of the visit of Emmanuel Macron, Qatar. In total, therefore, 36 Burst, which “will fly under the colors qatar,” says the French manufacturer. In the framework of this contract, dozens of drivers and mechanics qatariens are trained in France, by the French air force and French industry.
“This delivery is the culmination of a relationship begun more than 40 years ago.”
“For the fourth time in our relationship of trust and long-standing with the state of Qatar, an apparatus Dassault Aviation will have the honor of serving in the air force qatari. This delivery is the culmination of a relationship begun more than 40 years ago ( … ), ” said Eric Trappier. Doha is indeed a “loyal customer” of Dassault Aviation, in which he commanded several aircraft, including Mirage 2000 and Alpha Jet.
Thanks to the three contracts signed to export from 2015, the manufacturer has increased the production rate of the Burst to two aircraft per month, against one per month previously. To date, 23 of the 24 combat aircraft ordered by Egypt were delivered. Cairo has also taken an option on 12 additional aircraft. Option that has not yet been lifted.
While deliveries to the air force qatari-start, Dassault Aviation expects to deliver the first of 36 Rafale ordered by India in September 2019. At this stage, 96 firm orders for the Rafale have been taken to the international.
(*) The Dassault group, is the owner of Figaro.
” SEE ALSO – Burst: François Hollande arrived in Qatar 04/05/2015
