Gulf Arab Nations Vie to Acquire Rafale Fighter Jets, Oman Latest to Join

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Another Gulf Arab state has shown interest in joining the “Rafale Club” in the region, underscoring the popularity of the Dassault Aviation-developed fighter aircraft among Gulf Arab nations.

Oman, strategically located near the Arabian Sea and bordering Yemen, is reportedly looking to acquire between 18 and 24 Rafale F4 fighter jets.

Oman has already initiated negotiations with Dassault Aviation for the acquisition of these French-made aircraft.

Currently, the Royal Air Force of Oman operates a mix of 12 Eurofighter Typhoons from a European consortium and 24 F-16s developed by Lockheed Martin from the United States.

The reluctance of the United States to sell fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to the wealthy Gulf states has “created an opportunity” for Dassault Aviation to strengthen its position in the region with the Rafale fighter jets.

 

Wealthy Gulf Arab states have expressed interest in acquiring the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, but due to objections from Israel, Washington has been reluctant to sell these advanced aircraft to them.

Israel and influential Jewish lobbying groups in Washington oppose the proposal to sell F-35s to the Gulf Arab states, which are also strong allies of the United States, as they do not want to compromise Israel’s “qualitative military edge” over its Arab neighbors.

This situation has opened doors for France and Dassault Aviation. Indeed, the Rafale fighter jet is currently as popular as “hot cakes” in the Gulf region, with one country after another seeking to acquire it.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering acquiring 54 Rafale jets, although French media claim the world’s second-largest oil producer is looking to purchase 100 of these French-made aircraft.

Saudi Arabia’s keen interest in the Rafale fighter jets follows a report that another wealthy Gulf nation, Qatar, is in talks with the French aerospace company, Dassault Aviation, to upgrade its 36 Rafale jets to the latest and most capable variant, the “F4.”

Not only does Qatar want to upgrade its Rafale jets to the latest variant, but it is also in discussions with Dassault Aviation to acquire an additional 24 Rafale jets by next year or 2025.

 

This was confirmed by French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu during his recent visit to Qatar, where defense leaders from both countries discussed at Dukhan Air Base, which hosts Qatar’s 36 Rafale jets.

 He indicated that the discussions were aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Qatar’s armed forces.

The Qatar Air Force acquired its 36 Rafale fighter jets between 2015 and 2017, signing a $7 billion agreement with France in 2015 to purchase 24 jets and acquiring an additional 12 two years later in 2017.

According to the French newspaper, La Tribune, the Gulf nation wants to upgrade its Rafale jets to the F4 standard, which is the latest standard and only recently entered service with the French Air Force.

The French Air Force began upgrading its Rafale jets to the F4 standard in 2019 at a cost of €1.9 billion.

Paris expects all of the Rafale fighter jets in its air force to be upgraded to the F4 standard. Qatar’s neighboring country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has also chosen the Rafale fighter jet for its air force, ordering 80 jets at the F4 standard.

 All 80 Rafale jets ordered by the UAE are scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2030.

Additionally, according to La Tribune, France and Qatar are also discussing the possibility of Qatar adding another 24 Rafale fighter jets.

 If this occurs, Qatar’s total Rafale fleet would increase to 60 jets over the next few years.

 Currently, in addition to the Rafale fighter jets, the Qatar Air Force is also equipped with 36 F-15QA “Ababil” and 24 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3 jets, making it one of the most capable air forces not only in the Gulf but also among Arab nations.

France also hopes that Egypt will increase its Rafale fleet following its decision to cancel the purchase of Su-35 jets from Russia.

At present, Egypt already owns 54 Rafale fighter jets. — DSA