Photo: Fred TANNEAU / AFPSource: AFPThe French government is talking to Saudi Arabia about selling the kingdom Rafale fighter jets, France's defence minister said on Monday. Sebastien Lecornu told reporters there were "discussions" between Rafale maker Dassault Aviation and Saudi Arabia about a potential sale but gave no details. Weekly La Tribune Dimanche reported that Saudi Arabia -- whose airforce is mostly equipped with American F-15s and Eurofighters built by Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain -- had asked Dassault for a cost estimate for 54 Rafales by November 10. The Rafale, a twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft, is a bestseller for the French arms industry, and helped push French weapons exports to a record high last year. France has sold more than half its Rafale production to date abroad.

Source: Daily Nation October 24, 2023 00:47 UTC