The contract for the purchase of 24 Rafale aircraft by Qatar came into force today. The contract was signed in Doha, on 4 May 2015, in the company of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and Mr. François Hollande, President of the French Republic. The acquisition of Rafale continues Qatari reliance on French fighter jets, that included the Mirage F1, Alpha Jet and Mirage 2000. The deal includes the aircraft, weapons and training for 36 pilots and ground crews is worth €6.3 billion ($7.1 billion). First delivery is due in 2017. Qatar joins France, Egypt and India that have ordered the Rafale. The Qatari order increases the foreign orders worth €15 billion for Rafale to 84. Egypt and India placed orders for 60 aircraft earlier this year.

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