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Qatar, France sign final MoU for 24 Rafale fighters

Xinhua, March 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Qatar and France inked here on Tuesday a final Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to purchase 24 Rafale multi-tasking jet fighters.

The MoU was signed by the Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid Al Attiyah and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves LeDrian on the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference opened on Monday.

The contract for the jets was signed in May 2015 during the visit of French President Francois Hollande to Doha. It includes MBDA missiles, training for 36 Qatari pilots and some 100 mechanics.

The deal had been valued at 6.3 billion euros (6.9 billion U.S. dollars), which was updated to 6.7 billion euros (7.5 billion dollars) due to the provision of long-range cruise missiles as well as Meteor missiles.

LeDrian said French government is offering additional systems and capabilities to the Qataris, stressing that the sales of the fighter jets are to boost Qatar's self-defense, according to American Defense News Website.

"This forum shows the equipment and capacities France can offer, like in the fields of helicopter and navy," he said. "There are ongoing confidential and honest discussions on several topics."

Al Attiyah said that the drone production project, carried by Qatar and Germany, has reached advanced stages, adding "a Qatari drone will be seen in skies of Doha by next year."

The Qatari official emphasized that the development of the Qatari Armed Forces will not stop, and joint work and integration of defense systems are the current direction of his country.

Commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force Major General Mubarak bin Mohamed Al Kumait Al Khayarin said that Qatari Armed Forces has procured a lot of advanced equipment, including Patriot missile system and transport support aircraft. Endit