Saudi Arabia Chooses Rafale: Seeks to Purchase 54 Fighter Jets After Eurofighter and F-35 Veto

Saudi Arabia Turns to France for Fighter Jets Amid Stalled Deals with Berlin and Washington

Saudi authorities have set their sights on France as they work to resolve the acquisition of Western-made fighter jets. Saudi Arabia has long sought to move forward with the purchase of at least 48 Eurofighter fighter aircraft to supplement its existing fleet of 72 units. Simultaneously, they have been exploring the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, but this issue has faced a lot of handicaps and challenges. However, the Rafale of by the French company Dassault Aviation, is gaining traction as a viable alternative.

Saudi Arabia is evaluating the potential purchase of 54 Rafale. This deal has been  disclosed by the French newspaper La Tribune, which recently reported Saudi Arabia's official request for a detailed proposal. The response deadline is set for November 10. Should this plan move forward, Saudi Arabia would be following in the footsteps of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE recently committed to procuring 80 Rafale aircraft after facing difficulties in its pursuit of fifth-generation F-35 fighters, which were subject to restrictions imposed by Washington.

United States has yet to provide the green light for the sale of F-35s to Riyadh. This reluctance is rooted in the U.S.'s commitment to safeguard Israel's military predominance in the Middle East, as Israel operates F-35 aircrafts.

About the Eurofighter, the obstacle is Berlin. BAE Systems, a partner in the Eurofighter program alongside Airbus and Leonardo, is responsible for negotiating the sale of additional aircrafts to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh previously acquired 72 units. However, Germany, alongside the UK, Spain, and Italy, is obstructing the planned acquisition of at least 48 and possibly up to 72 more Eurofighter aircraft by Riyadh. An understanding memorandum was even signed in 2018. Berlin cites Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, particularly in connection with its involvement in the Yemeni war since 2015 and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in November 2018.

According 'Defense Security Asia' the French Minister of the Armed Forces, held a meeting last month with his Saudi counterpart, in Riyadh. The discussion primarily revolved around defense collaboration, including the potential acquisition of Rafale aircraft. The contemplated purchase could range from one hundred to two hundred Rafale aircraft.

The Rafale has achieved remarkable success. To date, 310 units have been sold for export, more than double the number of its closest competitor, the Eurofighter, developed by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, which has sold 151 units outside of its partner countries (681 Eurofighter units compared to 596 Rafale units with the four partner nations).

Rafale aircrafts have been sold to Qatar (36 units), Egypt (54 units), Greece (24 units, including 12 from the French arsenal), India (62 units, comprising 36 conventional and 26 naval versions), Croatia (12 units, second-hand acquisitions), the United Arab Emirates (80 units), and Indonesia (42 units). In contrast, Eurofighter sales include Austria (15 units), Kuwait (28 units), Oman (12 units), Saudi Arabia (72 units), and Qatar (24 units).

Related:

Saudi Arabia interested in A400M

Spain cancels bombs sale to Saudi Arabia amid Yemen concerns

SAUDI ARABIA TO ACQUIRE 48 EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON MORE FROM UK