Qatar: Rafales?

Qatar’s long-running negotiations with France over the purchase of Rafale warplanes could be reaching an end, according to “a source involved in negotiations”, quoted by Reuters on 17 February. The unnamed source said the discussions were “at the final stage”. Dassault Aviation, which is also thought to have resumed talks with the UAE over potential sales, declined to comment. The company will have been encouraged by its recent sale of 24 Rafales to Egypt. French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, a frequent visitor to Qatar, was in Cairo on 16 February to sign the deal. It is not clear how Egypt is financing the purchase.