Egyptian Air Force (EAF) received three Dassault Aviation-built Rafale fighter jets from France recently. This is the second batch of the jets to be dispatched as part of a $5-billion deal signed last year.

The first three jets arrived in Egypt in July 2015 as part of the deal, which consists of 24 Rafale jets and a FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Missions) multi-purpose frigate. The FREMM frigate, the Tahya Misr, was delivered in June 2015.

“This deal allows the Egyptian naval and air forces to achieve a special step in its ability to fulfill its missions in supporting efforts to achieve safety and stability in the Middle East,” Army Spokesman Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said in a statement.

A ceremony took place, attended by Egyptian and French delegations, to formally receive the jets. The jets then performed an air display over Greater Cairo.

Samir said the six Rafale fighter jets that Egypt now owns “represent a huge addition to the air forces’ fleet and are considered a new addition to the armament system and combat readiness, and enhances the combat capabilities of the armed forces.”