Uzbekistan is considering the purchase of fighter planes from France

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Uzbekistan is considering the purchase of fighter planes from France, with France extending an offer for its Rafale fighter jets to both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as reported by the "La Tribune" newspaper, citing sources.

The publication reveals that Dassault Aviation, the French company, has been actively pursuing this initiative for several months, with both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan expressing interest in acquiring Rafale fighters. It is highlighted that Uzbekistan is contemplating the purchase of up to 24 fighter jets, while keeping open the possibility of exploring aircraft from other countries.

The report indicates that Kazakhstan also aims to modernize its combat aircraft fleet, but the delivery prospects for Rafale fighter jets to this country appear to be more distant.

In July of this year, the Defense Procurement Board of the Ministry of Defense of India approved contracts for the supply of 26 Rafale M fighter jets to the Indian Navy. The newspaper further reports ongoing negotiations between France and Saudi Arabia for a potential deal involving 54 Rafale fighter jets.

For reference, the "Rafale" is a fourth-generation French multipurpose fighter aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation, with its maiden flight taking place in July 1986. It was subsequently adopted by the French Navy and Air Force in 2004 and 2006.

It is worth noting that French President Emmanuel Macron visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on November 1-2 this year, engaging in talks with Presidents Kasim-Jumart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev. However, official reports of these meetings did not include information about discussions on cooperation and defense issues in the military sphere.