France "confident" to sell the Rafale to the United Arab Emirates

After a visit to Abu Dhabi from French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, talks on the purchase by the United Arab Emirates of the French fighter Dassault Aviation are restarted.

Christian Mons-Catoni, Chairman of the French defense industries (CIDEF), is optimistic: "We are confident that we will eventually succeed in selling" the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he told the February 17 reporters on the sidelines of the IDEX defense exhibition of the Abu Dhabi, as reported by AFP.

Talks between France and the UAE "progressing well" but "we're in no hurry," he argued. The tender UAE focuses on the acquisition of 60 aircraft omnirôles Rafale.

Margins of IDEX, we learn that the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahaya. About the Rafale was discussed. The two men went through the "projects to deepen the strategic partnership" between France and the UAE, said the Embassy of France in Abu Dhabi.


"They agreed to actively pursue discussions on the Rafale," said the embassy stating that "Jean-Yves Le Drian noted, in this regard, the unique performance of the aircraft, which have been internationally recognized in different theaters of operation. "