France appears to have crossed a major Israeli red line by supplying Egypt with advanced long-range air-to-air missiles capable of threatening Israel’s aerial dominance in the region.
New images circulating online show Egyptian Air Force Dassault Rafale fighter jets carrying the advanced European-made Meteor missile under their wings — fueling growing assessments that Paris has quietly approved the transfer despite years of Israeli objections.
For years, Israel pressured France and European partners not to provide Cairo with the Meteor missile in order to preserve Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME). However, reports since 2021 suggested Egypt conditioned its purchase of 30 additional Rafale fighters on receiving the missile system as part of the deal.
In July 2025, Egyptian officials reportedly confirmed a broader weapons package that included Meteor missiles integrated into Egypt’s upgraded Rafale F3R fleet. Since late 2024, Egypt has gradually received these improved aircraft, fully compatible with the missile.
