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May 1, 2015 / 11:37 AM

Qatar buying Rafale fighters

Dassault Aviation says Qatar's decision to purchase Rafale fighter planes will be formalized on Monday with the signing of a contract in Doha.

Twenty-four Rafale fighters are being purchased from Dassault Aviation by Qatar. File Photo by Dassault.

Twenty-four Rafale fighters are being purchased from Dassault Aviation by Qatar. File Photo by Dassault.

ST. CLOUD, France, May 1 (UPI) -- The government of Qatar and Dassault Aviation are scheduled to sign an agreement on Monday in Doha, Qatar, for the acquisition of 24 Rafale fighters.

The deal, reportedly worth about $3.9 billion, was announced by French government, which said French President François Hollande would fly to the Qatari capital to witness the signing.

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"Dassault Aviation is honored by Qatar's decision to acquire 24 Rafale aircraft to equip its air force," Dassault Aviation said in a news release. ""This new success for the French team demonstrates the Rafale's operational qualities and confirms the confidence that countries, that are already users of the Mirage 2000, have in our company."

The Rafale is a twin-engine multi-role fighter first introduced into service in 2001. It has a high altitude speed of 1,032 knots and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet. Egypt and India have both ordered the fighter, which Frrance used in U.N. sanctioned operations in Libya in 2011.

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