Summary Saudi Arabia is considering buying 54 Rafales, with the deal potentially signaling a move away from Eurofighter Typhoons. There is speculation that the large Rafale order may have been used as a tactic to get the Eurofighter Typhoon deal unblocked by Germany. Saudi Arabia might opt to purchase both Rafales and Typhoons, following Qatar's example, to maintain a diverse and impressive fighter jet fleet.
For years now, some of the world's largest arms importers have been the Gulf States - with the biggest spender being the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has an existing large 48-jet Eurofighter Typhoon order but appears to be considering placing another large fighter jet for France's Dassault Rafales . These two European jets started as the same pan-European project , but disagreements saw France go by itself and produce its own jet independently.
Saudi Arabia asks for a quote for 54 Rafales According to Army Recognition , Saudi Arabia is currently exploring the option to purchase 52 Rafales (Dassault has seen its orders for the French jet take off in recent years). France's Rafale is seen as a capable fighter jet and an alternative to purchasing Russian-made jets (which has become largely untenable in recent years) . However, instead of pursuing the Typhoon deal, there is debate about whether Saudi Arabia will seek to purchase more Rafales.
Last October, the La Tribune and Europe 1 reported that Saudi Arabia had submitted a request to Dassault for a "price proposa.