Saudi Arabia Considers Buying French Rafale Fighter Jets Amid US Tensions
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering purchasing a large number of French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets, signaling a potential shift away from its traditional suppliers, the US and UK. The move comes amid strained US-Saudi relations and concerns over the reliability of its long-time partners. Saudi Arabia's interest in the Rafale jets may be driven by political and practical considerations, as its neighbors in the UAE and Qatar have already built up fleets of Western-made jets that include Rafales. French jets offer an attractive option due to their modernity, NATO origin, and less restrictive end-user agreements. However, pragmatic concerns, such as the extensive investment in US and British aircraft, may limit the feasibility of acquiring Rafales for the Royal Saudi Air Force.