Morocco Rafale Deal Dead, F-16 Prevails
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
A last-gasp effort by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to clinch a Rafale combat aircraft sale to Morocco has failed, leaving the next-generation fighter still without an initial export order.
Following a visit to Morocco last week, Sarkozy threw in the towel and acknowledged the U.S. F-16 was preferred by the Moroccans. French observers attributed the loss to the continued failure of government agencies, including armaments agency DGA, to coordinate effectively on foreign defense sales.
Last spring's French presidential election, which stalled agreement on a vital credit package, also was a factor, they said, as was an eleventh hour effort to add a French frigate to the deal. Morocco did sign off on the frigate, and also is said to be interested in EC 225/725 medium heavy-lift helicopters.
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