Don’t underestimate Japan. They are right at the tops with regards to exotic materials, electronics, and metallurgy. Japan will design their own F-22A design.

It will take some time. Not that they do not possess metallurgy tech, but there is a kind of “magic” in proper design of engines (not my words)

Doubtful. Norway opted for F-35. I hope but do not expect Canada to take a different path. Gripen E/F not yet operational. what’s left, Denmark, Iceland and Finland?

The frigate in itself cost around 4-500 millions. Take into account they are designed by NATO as destroyers… (D-XXX). Big frigates, with antisubmarine, antiship, long range cruise missiles and anti air capabilities. Operated by only 109 sailors…

That’s also aa lot of armament to buy.

And yes, its replacement is acted, in a hurried manner.

Maybe the unit cost of the Rafale around US $ 170 million could be motivated the conclusion of contract in rush time, after all only for comparison the Gripen E had been offered for Switzerland at the unit cost of $ 150 million.

However I guess the most important aspect for this agreement for several countries in the Golf has been to close some window opportunity for Russia to approach of the Egypt through as example of the possible sale of the MiG 35 in the near future. After all how could the US has been continued to provide military aid through the Camp David agreement for Egypt while this will purchase the MiG 35 from Russia ?

For France perhaps a strong motivation to finalize this agreement with Egypt should be to obtain the first customer for the Rafale, in attempt to avoid that India could be withdraw from the deal with 126 Rafale F3 in the MMRCA program in the next few moths. However in this case the unit cost of $ 170 million that would be paid by Egypt could trigger an opposite side effect that has been desired for the France.

Poutine offered super duper conditions to Al Sissi during his visit in Egypt and was politely said no thanks, i don’t want your stuff.

The explanation given by the Egyptians for the rush was rising instability in Libya. Well there’s no real air threat from that quarter and air defences are predominantly (entirely?) short range. For the air-to-air role they’d have had the option of MiG-29s as well as JF-17s (in addition to second hand Mirages). It does seem like a prestige buy. Not the most prudent of investments at this time but if they can rustle up the cash, that’s that.

Take into account the politics swap after king Abdullah death. Relationships of KSA are much better with Qatar (and muslim brotherhood) and much more tense with UAE. And apparently it is UAE that is backing Egypt purchase.

This finally sounds like it may be the real deal.

I wish I could say the Egyptians were getting something they actually needed, but this is certainly a big win for Dassault.

Any word yet on what variant/weapons they are getting?

As they plan to obtain them very quickly, they will get the very same as french. But between B and C and which weapons no idea. I just know there will be ASTER15 on their Fremm

So that’s a unit acquisition cost of €150 million. Or $170 million at the current exchange rate. Not too bad really.

Plane cost. Spares. Simulators. Training. Maintenance. Lets wait to have included items to check at isoperimeter.

Good news for the program, interesting 2014 year for Typhoon…