Dassault Aviation hopes to finalise an $11.5bn defence deal for 60 Rafale multirole fighter jets with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.

The proposed deal is in its third year of negotiations, having stalled last year due to issues over the cost of upgrades.

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UAE had proposed upgrades that include more powerful engines, longer-range radar systems and upgraded electronic warfare suites to adapt the jets to the humid flying conditions of the Gulf.

The developmental costs related to the upgrades, to be paid by UAE and the company, were estimated to add $2.6bn to $4bn to the final price for the UAE.

The Rafale aircraft is also being considered by Brazil, Switzerland and India, according to The National.

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