The Air Force of Uzbekistan is planning to purchase 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France

The Air Force of Uzbekistan is planning to purchase 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France, as reported by TS2 Space.

During the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Samarkand region on November 2 of this year, bilateral interest in this significant acquisition was expressed. Uzbekistan's ongoing efforts to modernize its military equipment were also highlighted.

"Uzbekistan is actively modernizing its air force, which currently operates a range of combat aircraft, including Su-27 and Su-25 attack aircraft, as well as Su-24 fighter jets. The potential inclusion of Rafale aircraft would signify not just a technological advancement but also a noteworthy geopolitical shift in Central Asia's military landscape."

Despite Uzbekistan's interest, experts suggest that the country may face delays in procuring these planes due to high demand. Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer, has received numerous orders from Qatar, Croatia, and Indonesia. Furthermore, negotiations are ongoing with Saudi Arabia. As an alternative, France has proposed offering Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Uzbekistan.

It's worth noting that on November 16 of this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a military unit in the Surkhondarya region, where the revelation was made about Uzbekistan possessing a "Bayraktar TB2" reconnaissance-strike drone for the first time.