This is still a very weak signal, carried by informal and preliminary low-noise discussions between France and Saudi Arabia. According to concordant sources, Riyadh seems to be interested in the Rafale, which already flies in the Near and Middle East (Egypt and Qatar) and will soon fly in the skies of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Saudis would not be insensitive to the fact that his neighbors have already bought the tricolor device. Which is already in itself a small clap of thunder as the kingdom has been the preserve of the Americans (F-15) and the British (Tornado then Typhoon) for more than 50 years.
“Itar-free”, “German-free”
It is quite possible that the CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier will make a discreet visit to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks to check if the Saudi interest in the Rafale is really solid. It should be remembered that in 2006, Paris had tried everything to sell 72 Rafales over the counter. But Jacques Chirac had broken his nose, Saudi Arabia ultimately choosing the Typhoon, carried by London. If the interest of the Saudis was finally proven, some are already talking about an order for at least a hundred Rafales, or even 200 aircraft. be much more than thethe United Arab Emirates which ordered 80 for the sum of 16 billion euros (armaments included).
The Saudis would have sent some very clear messages to the French: they would like “itar free” and “german free” combat planes. Despite Olaf Scholz’s visit to Saudi Arabia at the end of September, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman no longer wants to depend on Germany for armaments (Typhoon, land armaments). It is true that Berlin imposed an embargo on arms exports to Riyadh implemented after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. It is wary of the ruling coalition, which wants to tighten restrictions on the sale of weapons abroad (outside European Union and NATO countries) in general, and in particular to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is also wary of the United States over Washington’s long-term commitments in the Middle East.
Riyadh’s interest in SCAF
Finally, the Saudis, who are seeking to strengthen their strategic autonomy to reduce their technological dependencies, also seem to be interested in the SCAF program. They could board this project if it were to fall apart with Germany and possibly participate in a plan B in partnership with France. As with the Rafale, these discussions are very, very embryonic. But the current passes better on certain channels. This was not the case during the visit to Paris last July of the crown prince, who responded favorably to the invitation of Emmanuel Macron.
Received at the Elysée for a working dinner with Emmanuel Macron, Mohammed bin Salman left very unhappy at the end of this dinner where the French head of state would have mentioned, among other things, human rights in Saudi Arabia. The President had to address individual cases as well as the general situation in the Kingdom. Two other subjects would also have irritated the crown prince, who would have finally left Paris in stride when he was expected to spend the night in his sumptuous residence in Louveciennes (Yvelines) where his close entourage was waiting for him there. According to our information, Paris even had to fight to be able to publish a press release at the end of this visit, Riyadh not being in favor of it. Also the path will be long, very long before reaching the signing of a Rafale contract, which could just as well ultimately be a new French mirage in Saudi Arabia…
Defence: Airbus and Dassault reach FCAS agreement
Tags: embryonic temptations Saudi Arabia
