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PARIS, Feb 2 (AFP) – The French defence ministry is to purchase 11 fewer Rafale fighter jets than originally planned in its 2003-08 budget, financial daily Les Echos said on Monday.
Dassault Aviation will supply five Rafales this year and 10 in 2005 as scheduled.
But starting in 2006 it will furnish 17 jets instead of 19 and 16 rather than 20 in 2007. In 2008 the company will deliver 17 instead of 22 planes, according to Les Echos.
The reductions will enable the government to save EUR 550 million (USD 686 million), according to the paper.
A Dassault spokesman told AFP the company was awaiting a government decision on the matter.
© AFP
Subject: France news