by Larry Dickerson, Missile Systems Analyst, Forecast International.
France is confident of winning two more foreign orders for its Rafale combat aircraft by the beginning of 2016, according to a report by Reuters News Agency. Recently, France won orders from Egypt and Qatar for 24 Rafale fighters each.
In addition, Paris is in talks with India for the purchase of 36 aircraft, and is in advanced discussions with Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding possible sales.
Further orders for Rafale fighters will be welcomed news at Europe’s missile firms, specifically MBDA and perhaps Safran. MBDA will no doubt receive additional orders for its air-to-air missiles, and potentially for one or more of its strike weapons. Sagem, which is part of Safran, could win contracts for its Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM).
Of course, Dassault is facing heated competition in the fighter jet market from U.S. and European rivals.
