Egypt and France signed Thursday a $5.7 billion worth deal for the sale of Dassault built Rafale fighter jets, a naval frigate and missiles, according to military sources. The deal would make Egypt the first export customer for the French warplane. Egypt has been looking to upgrade its weaponry over fears the crisis in Libya could spill over, as the insurgency in Libya has severely affected the security situation in Egypt allowing the transfer of weapons and Jihadists across the Libyan frontiers into Egypt. "Yes, there is an agreement," the source said, in response to a report in Le Monde newspaper stating that the two countries signed the deal on Thursday. Egypt's president Abdel Fatah Al Sisi, President Francois Hollande and Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will sign Monday the final page of the agreement outlining the modalities, according to Le Monde. Rafale are one of the most effective and sophisticated fighter jets in the world, the twin-jet combat aircraft is capable of carrying out a wide range of short and long-range missions, including ground and sea attacks, reconnaissance, high-accuracy strikes and nuclear strike deterrence. The aircraft was developed for the French Air Force and Navy.
