QATAR/FRANCE: On Tuesday, a French defence ministry source revealed that France and Qatar share a mutual desire to enhance their defence partnership, which would further strengthen the ongoing cooperation involving Rafale fighter jets, days after the French defence minister’s visit to Doha to solidify military ties.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Qatar regarding this matter.
Last week, Sebastien Lecornu engaged in discussions with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Qatar.
According to reports, it was evident that Doha expressed contentment with its acquisition of Rafale jets, and there was a strong inclination to enhance the existing partnership.
As per the source, this inclination might result in the purchase of new aircraft and the upgrading of the current fleet.
In 2015, the two nations initially finalised a $7 billion (6.34 billion euros) deal for 24 Rafale jets, and in 2017, Qatar placed an additional order for 12 more aircraft.
The French Defence Ministry stated in a statement on Friday that the talks in Qatar had “focused on strengthening the Franco-Qatari strategic partnership, founded on diplomatic, operational, and industrial cooperation.”
Last week, India granted approval for the acquisition of 26 Rafale fighter jets, the latest in a series of contracts for Dassault, which had previously secured an order of 80 units from the United Arab Emirates 18 months ago.
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