France, Qatar sign Rafale deal, Hollande hails Gulf ties
France and Qatar signed a EUR6.3 billion (US$7.02 billion) deal on May 4 for the sale of 24 Rafale fighter jets, an accord President Francois Hollande hailed as a mark of Gulf Arab regard for French regional strategy including its firm line on Iran.
The contract - the third this year for Dassault AVMD.PA after deals to sell Rafale jets to Egypt and India - also includes MBDA missiles, and the training of 36 Qatari pilots and 100 technicians by the French military.
Officials said the accord signed by Hollande and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani also provided for the training of a number of Qatari intelligence officers.
"It's a good choice," said Hollande, who was due to go on later to Saudi Arabia, where he is to attend a summit on May 5 of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh.
Hollande said there could be options for further sales of the plane in Qatar. Dassault is also in talks aimed at supplying 16 of the multi-role combat jets to Malaysia and has resumed discussions over potential fighter sales to another Gulf Arab state, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Highlighting the possibilities in the region, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian flew to Abu Dhabi on May 2 ahead of the Qatar signing ceremony.