Did Egypt’s purchase of Rafale planes revive interest in an unpopular piece of military hardware?

Did Egypt’s purchase of Rafale fighter jets revive interest in an unpopular piece of military hardware? Egypt’s initial purchase of 14 Rafale planes back in 2015 for USD 6 bn helped spur further orders from other countries, according defense intelligence news outlet Strategy Page. “Until 2015 export buyers for the Rafale had been scarce. The Rafale was up against stiff competition for sales from aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Swedish Gripen NG, American F-18E and Russian Su-30.” In 2013, Brazil passed on buying the Rafale and instead went with the cheaper Swedish Gripen NG. France had difficulties in finding customers for Rafale prior to the Egypt sale, and has had to reduce annual production to 11 planes from 14. However, Since 2015 production has increased. By late 2017 over 170 Rafales had been built and over a hundred more were on order. In 2016, India agreed to buy 36 Rafale fighters with an option to buy another 18, encouraged by speedy deliveries to Egypt. The UAE is reportedly still considering a purchase order for some 60 planes, Defense World reports.