The Egyptian army received three Rafale fighter jets from France.

The French fighter jets were handed over to Egyptian authorities at an air base in southern France.

The delivery is the first batch of 24 warplanes sold as part of a major deal struck between the two countries early this year.

Egypt received last month a FREMM (European multipurpose frigate) at the port of Lorient in west France, as part of a military deal it had signed with France in February to upgrade its military force in the face of ongoing regional crises.

French Defence MinisterJean-Yves le Drian said the delivery of the frigate was the “first step” in creating a “unique relationship” between the two states, adding that Paris acknowledges Egypt’s central role in ensuring security in the region.

Egypt’s Defence Minister and Army Commander Sedki Sobhi attended the delivery of the frigate in the presence of French military officials.

The multipurpose frigate weighs almost 2,000 tonnes and is 142 metres in length.