The French president’s office is denying a report that says Egypt will sign a new deal to purchase an additional twelve Rafale fighter aircraft during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the North African country next week.

“Egypt could complete its fleet of Rafale jets in the weeks or months to come but there will not be a signing of contracts during the president’s visit,” the official said.

Early some France media have reported that the Arab Republic of Egypt could sign a new deal with Dassault Aviation for purchase an additional twelve Rafale fighter aircraft during the visit of Emmanuel Macron to Egypt on 27-29 January.

On 16 February 2015, France agreed to deliver 24 Rafale fighter jets (16 two-seaters and 8 single-seaters) to Egypt at a cost of $5.9 billion in order to equip its Air Force with a latest-generation multirole fighter capable of meeting the country’s operational requirements and enabling Egypt, with full sovereignty, to secure its geostrategic position in the region.

In June 2016, Egypt started negotiations with Dassault to acquire 12 additional Rafales which was an option on the original contract. But Egypt has been facing opposition from the French Treasury to obtain the same favourable financial package it obtained for the original order.