Egypt is considering buying 24 additional Rafale fighter jets from France as it continues to modernise its air force.
If completed, the deal would increase Egypt’s Rafale fleet to 78 aircraft. It would also strengthen the country’s position as one of the largest foreign operators of the French fighter jet.
However, Egypt has not yet signed a final deal.
French newspaper La Tribune reported that Cairo sent a request for proposal to France and Dassault Aviation. The request seeks technical and commercial details for 24 additional aircraft.
Egypt Rafale deal could expand fleet to 78 jets
Egypt became the first foreign customer for the Rafale in 2015. It initially ordered 24 aircraft from France.
Then, in 2021, Cairo ordered another 30 Rafales in a deal worth almost €4 billion.
By the end of 2026, Egypt is expected to have 54 Rafales from those two orders.
Therefore, another 24 aircraft would increase the fleet to 78.
The potential Egypt Rafale deal comes as Cairo looks to replace parts of its ageing F-16 fleet.
Egypt operates more than 200 F-16s. Some of those aircraft date back to the 1980s.
As a result, replacing older aircraft has become an important part of Egypt’s long-term military modernisation.
Rafale remains important to Egypt’s air force
Egypt operates aircraft from several international suppliers.
Nevertheless, the reported request suggests that the Rafale remains important to Cairo’s plans.
The development also comes after Egypt expanded military cooperation with China.
During the latest Eagles of Civilization exercise, Chinese J-16 fighters trained alongside Egyptian Rafales and MiG-29M2 aircraft.
A Chinese YY-20A tanker also refuelled an Egyptian Rafale during the exercises.
The exercises highlighted Egypt’s ability to operate military equipment from different countries.
However, Cairo’s reported interest in another large Rafale purchase suggests that French aircraft could remain central to its future fleet.
Rafale faced scrutiny after India-Pakistan conflict
The possible Egypt Rafale deal also comes after the aircraft attracted attention during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.
Reuters reported that US officials assessed with high confidence that Pakistani J-10 aircraft had shot down at least two Indian military aircraft, including at least one Rafale. India later acknowledged aircraft losses but did not initially specify the models.
The episode sparked debate over the performance of Chinese and Western military technology.
However, subsequent reporting indicated that intelligence and tactical factors played an important role in the encounter. The incident alone did not establish that one fighter was inherently superior to the other.
For Egypt, the immediate issue is its own fleet.
If Cairo moves forward with the additional 24 Rafales, it would represent another major expansion of its French-built fighter fleet.
For now, though, the proposal remains under consideration and should not be described as a completed purchase.