Egyptian Rafale Jets Pass 10,000 Flight Hours Mark

Egyptian Air Force’s Rafale fighters have become the first export Rafales to reach 10,000 flight hours, Dassault Aviation announced Wednesday.

In the presence of senior Egyptian authorities and Dassault Aviation representatives, a ceremony to celebrate the Rafale's 10,000 flight hours was held last week at Gebel el Basur Air Base (Beheira, Egypt) where the Air Force's Rafale "Wild Wolves" squadron is stationed.

Cairo’s initial order for these French-made jets came in 2015, followed by a second in 2021.

Egypt ordered 24 Rafales and 1 FREMM frigate for €5.2 billion in 2015, making it the first export customer for the jets. The 16 Rafale DM (two-seat version) and 8 Rafale EM (single-seat version) were delivered between 2015 and 2019.  Six years later, Egypt became the second country after Qatar to place a second order for Rafales. The total value of this agreement was estimated at €3.75 billion for 30 Rafales.

With 54 Rafales soon to be in service, the Rafale will become the Air Force's second fighter aircraft, behind the 207 F-16 Fighting Falcons in service in 2022.