Tel Aviv. Egypt will purchase 30 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal that investigative website Disclose said was worth $4.5bn. Egypt’s defence ministry revealed the deal in a statement early on Tuesday.

Egypt’s defence ministry said the deal was agreed after France said it will give Egypt a loan that will be repaid over at least 10 years.

Citing confidential documents, Disclose said an agreement had been concluded at the end of April and could be sealed on today when an Egyptian delegation arrives in Paris.

Rafale is manufactured by Dassault Aviation and is capable of performing a wide range of short and long-range missions. It can be used to perform ground and sea attacks, reconnaissance, high-accuracy strikes and nuclear strike deterrence. The aircraft was developed for the French Navy and French Air Force. The fighter aircraft was used in combat operations in various nations, including Afghanistan, Mali, Libya, Syria, and Iraq. Egypt, Qatar and India also ordered the aircraft.

-The writer is an International Roving Correspondent of the publication.