By Reuters

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Posted inPolitics & Economics

Egypt signs $5.9bn deal for French jets, ships and missiles

Agreement is for 24 Rafale combat jets made by Dassault Aviation, a multi-mission naval frigate, and air-to-air missiles

By Reuters
Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier shakes hands with Egypt Defence minister General Sedki Sobhi (L) as French Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (C) looks on before signing a contract for Rafale fighter jets, with Egypt agreeing to buy 24 of the warplanes on February 16, 2015 at the presidential palace in the capital Cair
Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier shakes hands with Egypt Defence minister General Sedki Sobhi (L) as French Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (C) looks on before signing a contract for Rafale fighter jets, with Egypt agreeing to buy 24 of the warplanes on February 16, 2015 at the presidential palace in the capital Cair

Egypt signed a a 5.2 billion-euro ($5.9 billion) deal to buy French weaponry on Monday, Egyptian media said, in a move Cairo hopes will boost its military power as fears grow of conflict in neighbouring Libya spilling over its border.

The agreement is for 24 Rafale combat jets made by Dassault Aviation, a multi-mission naval frigate, and air-to-air missiles.

Egyptian defence minister Sidqi Sobqi signed the deal with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in a ceremony in the presence of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and a French delegation that included the manufacturers, state news agency MENA said.

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