France Eyes New Deal With Qatar On Supply Of Rafale Fighter Jets

 France was planning to agree on another contract to deliver 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar after the supply of 36 aircraft in 2015, La Tribune newspaper reported Tuesday, citing sources.

Doha may place an order for French fighter jets between 2024 and 2025, the report said. Qatar may also request that France modernize the 36 aircraft supplied in 2015 to the F4 standard.

The intention was announced during the visit of French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu to Qatar on July 17, where he met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss the "strengthening of strategic partnership," among other topics, the media reported.