France sells 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar, a 6.3-billion-euro deal

FILE - This June 23, 2011 file image shows the Dassault-made Rafale performing a demonstration flight during the 49th Paris Air Show, at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris. France has announced a 6.3 billion euro ($7 billion) deal regarding the sale of 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar. The deal is going to be signed next Monday in Qatar’s capital Doha in the presence of the French president Francois Hollande, the French president’s office announced Thursday, April 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere) (The Associated Press)

FILE - This June 21, 2001 file photo shows a French Air Force Rafale manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation speeding above Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, France, during the 44th Paris Air Show. France has announced a 6.3 billion euro ($7 billion) deal regarding the sale of 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar. The deal is going to be signed next Monday in Qatar’s capital Doha in the presence of the French president Francois Hollande, the French president’s office announced Thursday. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, File) (The Associated Press)

France has announced a 6.3-billion-euro ($7 billion) deal to sell 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar.

The deal is to be signed next Monday in Qatar's capital, Doha, in the presence of the French president, Francois Hollande, presidency services announced Thursday.

With this sale, French arms exports already exceed 15 billion euros ($16.8 billion) this year, a defense official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Qatar becomes the third buyer of France's delta-winged Rafale, manufactured by Dassault Aviation.

India has announced plans to buy 36 Rafale earlier this month and Egypt bought 24 Rafale in February.

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