Following the contract signed in 2015 between Qatar and Dassault Aviation for 24 Rafales, the Qatar made a new command of Rafales the 7th of December during Emmanuel Macron's trip in the peninsular Arab country.
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From 24 to 72 Rafales
This heavy contract between historical partners is about 1.1 billions dollars. This command is following by a promise of purchase of 36 Rafales. If Qatar approve this command the total would be 72 french twin-engine in the Qatar fleet.
"SOUTEX Program"
This new command has consequences for the French Air force, in fact this contract include the "SOUTEX" program that force french army to train Qatar engineer for maintenance of this planes and pilot to drive them. It already began, the engineers are trained in the air base of Mont de Marsan and pilots are trained in Saint-Dizier.
Rafales, F-15 and Eurofighters
This is a big news for France and GIE Rafale that is composed by Dassault, manufacturer of the canard delta wing planes , Thalès that produces the electronic component and Safran which is in charge of the motor.
