Aircraft

Libya 'to order 13-18 Dassault Rafale fighter jets', rejecting Eurofighter, French press reports

By Justin Wastnage

Libyan leader Col Muammar al-Gaddafi has reportedly selected the Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jet to re-equip the country's air force ahead of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Libya is reportedly close to finalising an order for between 13 and 18 Rafales in a deal worth as much as €2.5 billion ($3.24 billion), French Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche says.

The newspaper cites industry sources and government insiders as saying Gaddafi chose the French offer over a refurbishing of and unspecified number of the country's mixed RSK MiG fleet of Mig-21s, -23 and -25s. Proposals from China and Russia were also considered, the report continues.

If true, the deal would be the first export order for the Rafale. 

The deal is expected later this year, once technical discussions with Dassault have been completed, it continues.