In light of the strained relations with the United States due to the reduction in oil production, Saudi Arabia is considering purchasing between 100 and 200 French fighter jets of the "Raphael" type. These fighter jets are multi-mission aircraft that can perform air-to-air combat, air-to-land and air-to-sea missions. It has high stealth, maneuverability and performance. These fighter jets were used in several military operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and Syria.

If the purchase of these fighter jets is carried out, this will strengthen the Saudi Air Force and affect the regional balance in the Middle East. It would also pose a challenge to the United States, which is Saudi Arabia's main arms supplier. This may lead to a change in relations between the two countries, especially in light of the tensions surrounding the nuclear issue and human rights in Iran.

Saudi Arabia has devoted decades to building a formidable air force consisting exclusively of advanced American and British fighter jets. But Riyadh's stated interest in the prospect of buying large numbers of French jets may be a sign that it no longer believes its old allies are as reliable as before.

In December, the French financial newspaper "Le Tribune" reported, citing unnamed sources, that Saudi Arabia is considering buying 100 to 200 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault. The report comes amid developments suggesting that traditional suppliers to Riyadh may not be willing to supply it with aircraft in the future.

In October, anger at Riyadh over oil production cuts prompted US lawmakers to propose legislation to freeze all US arms sales to the kingdom, which would have grounded most of the Saudi air force and further strained already strained US-Saudi relations.

In July, Germany announced that it would not allow the delivery of additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The 72 Eurofighters of the Saudi Air Force are the second most numerous type of aircraft, after the US-made F-15s, that the Saudis have in their arsenal.

Saudi Arabia's neighbors, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, have built large fleets of Western-made aircraft that include dozens of Rafales. The "Le Tribune" report, although not confirmed, indicates that political and practical concerns are pushing the Saudis towards the French plane.

Buying more Typhoons would be a "logical step" because the Saudis have the infrastructure to train and operate the aircraft, said Sebastian Rublin, a military aviation journalist, "but the German embargo prevents that."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is also "disinclined right now to give Washington any bonuses by ordering the F-15EX," and despite President Joe Biden's "change of direction," Rublin said, the Saudis know sales could go wrong in the future.