France's Hollande says Egypt to buy Rafale fighters, frigate

French President Francois Hollande said Egypt would order 24 Rafale fighter jets, a naval frigate and related military equipment in a deal to be signed in Cairo on Monday worth more than 5 billion euros ($5.70 billion).

The contract would make Egypt, aiming to upgrade its military hardware amid fears the crisis in neighbouring Libya could spill over, the first export customer for the warplane, built by Dassault Aviation.

It follows years of failed attempts by France to export the plane.

"The Rafale fighter jet has won its first export contract," Hollande's office said in a statement.

"The Egyptian authorities have just let me know their intention of acquiring 24 Rafale planes, a multi-mission frigate as well as related equipment." The latter items consist of a Fremm warship and MBDA air-to-air missiles.