Egypt becomes certified supplier of Dassault Rafale aircraft spare parts
December 7, 2025
At the 2025 Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) in Cairo earlier this week, an agreement was signed between the state-owned Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) and Dassault, the manufacturer of the Rafale, to become a certified supplier of spare parts.
The fourth edition of EDEX – attended by Aerospace Global News – lived up to its namesake in featuring the latest defence-related technology across land, sea and air. Industry from a variety of countries both in the Middle East and beyond attended. China and the United Arab Emirates also maintained a considerable presence.
The latest agreement between the AOI and Dassault also strengthens Egypt’s defence industry.
Egypt to produce certified spare parts
The agreement, signed on Tuesday, will mean the AOI is one of Dassault’s official supply-chain partners. Parts will be manufactured to Fourth Industrial Revolution standards. AOI Chairman Major General Engineer Mokhtar Abdel Latif and French Ambassador to Egypt Eric Chevallier signed the deal on day 2 of the EDEX.
Components for Dassault platforms will be produced at AOI’s Engine Factory, located south of Cairo’s city centre. The agreement also eyes partnership expansion and industrial cooperation between the two entities in the defence industry sector.
Chevallier noted that one of France’s aims with the agreement is to expand French exports to Arab and African markets, “contributing to the targeted growth in bilateral trade.” The cooperation with Dassault will also allow AOI companies to exchange expertise and meet local needs.
Local manufacturing to bolster regional position
Abdel Latif said that the AOI “is committed to localising advanced technology, attracting investment, and increasing local manufacturing content by building on AOI’s expanding industrial capabilities in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030.”
As highlighted by France’s La Tribune, the agreement is an important step forward in Franco-Egyptian relations. In a statement, the Egyptian government described the defence relationship as “one of the region’s most advanced.” Egypt’s production of spare parts will need to meet the rigorous standards set out by Dassault.
The agreement makes Egypt an incredibly important partner for Dassault as it becomes a certified player in global supply chains.
Egypt, which boasts a considerable fleet of Rafale aircraft, will be able to maintain both its own fleet but also nearby operators. In a statement, the government said the agreement would meet “local needs” and create “export opportunities to friendly and sister countries.”
Egypt’s Rafale fleet
Egypt’s current Rafale fleet consists of 28 aircraft according to information from FlightGlobal. It has a remaining 26 on order, as part of an agreement that was signed in May 2021 for 30 jets on top of the 24 it initially ordered in 2015.
World Rafale fleets
| Country | Active | On order | Options | Total |
| Croatia | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Egypt | 28 | 26 | 0 | 54 |
| France | 146 | 51 | 63 | 260 |
| Greece | 24 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Indonesia | 0 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| India | 35 | 26 | 0 | 61 |
| Qatar | 36 | 0 | 36 | 72 |
| Serbia | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| UAE | 0 | 80 | 0 | 80 |
| Grand Total | 281 | 237 | 99 | 617 |
Source: FlightGlobal — World Air Forces 2026
Featured image: franz massard | stock.adobe.com
