Egyptian military officials have denied some Russian media claim that Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft crashed.
On 29 January, some Russian media claimed, with reference to Egypt source, that a Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft of Egypt Air Force has crashed during a routine training mission.
Later Egyptian military officials categorically denied Russian media reports and stated a possible provocation against the background of the started phase of negotiations on the purchase of an additional 12 Rafale fighter jets for Egypt’s air force.
The Arab Republic of Egypt could sign a new deal with Dassault Aviation to purchase an additional twelve Rafale fighter aircraft.
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.
Later the Scramble Magazine has posted that a K-8E Karakorum jet trainer of the Egypt Air Force has crashed on 28 January 2019. The pilot was unfortunately killed in the accident.
Initially it was reported that a Dasault Rafale was involved in this accident, but this appeared to be incorrect. It is reported that the pilot of the unfortunate K-8 was a Rafale pilot. He was one of the first Egypt pilots flying the Rafale.