Page 12 - ADT JUNE - JULY 2021 Online Magazine

Rafale in February 2015, Egypt became the first export [ AIR SYSTEMS ]
customer for Rafale, just as it had been for the
Mirage 2000. The Egyptian Air Force will now
become the second largest Rafale operator
after the French Air Force. Greece joined the
Renaissance Rafale club in January, with its decision to pro-
cure 18 of the type, split into six new aircraft
and 12 ex-French Air Force examples. Aircraft
deliveries start later this year to meet urgent
Greek requirements and will be completed by
2023. Dassault has also inked a 4.5 year logistic
DASSAULT’S OMNIROLE FIGHTER IS RAKING support contract with the Hellenic Air Force to
IN ORDERS WHILE A FUTURE F4 VARIANT IS support its Rafale fleet. Greece had ordered the
NEARING COMPLETION Mirage F1 in 1974, the Mirage 2000 in 1985 and
finally the Mirage 2000-5 in 2000.

Atul Chandra Qatar is another F1 and Mirage 2000 operator
to place orders for Rafale with 24 contracted
Dassault Aviation’s Rafale ‘Omnirole’ fighter is replicating the suc- in May 2015 and an additional 12 in December
cess of its forebears with a string of export successes, that have 2017. India inked a contract for supply of 36
provided a much needed boost for the French airframer. Dassault Rafales in 2016 and has taken delivery of 21
is also working on the future Rafale F4 Standard which promises aircraft till date and its aircraft will be based
a dramatic increase in capability, even as the latest F3R upgrades at two air bases in Ambala (Western Sector)
are being installed on French aircraft and delivered to export cus- and Hashimara (Eastern Sector). The first three
tomers. Dassault delivered 13 Rafales in 2020 and is expected to export contracts of Rafale to Egypt, India and
deliver 22 aircraft this year. Qatar were of the aircraft configured to F3-R
Standard.
Croatia became the latest addition to the list of Rafale export cus- Dassault will build 12 new aircraft for the French
tomers, when it announced the acquisition in May of 12 ex-French Air Force to replace the 12 to will be supplied to
air force Rafale’s for its Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) pro- Greece and this order will result in the French
gramme requirement. Croatia will be a first time user of “Dassault Air and Space Force being equipped with 129
aircraft” unlike other Rafale customers, who have earlier operated Rafales by the end of 2025. The new French
Dassault types such as the Mirage F1, 2000 and Alpha Jet. Along order of 12 Rafale aircraft to replace those
with Egypt, India, Qatar and Greece, Dassault has now notched up sold to the Greek Air Force, was announced
five export clients for Rafale with several export prospects in play. by Florence Parly, Minister of Armed Forces
The Arab Republic of Egypt also announced in May, its decision to during her visit to Dassault’s Argonay plant in
purchase 30 additional Rafales. With its initial order for 24 Rafales France’s Haute-Savoie region, where the flight

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