Progress Seen In Rafale Negotiations

French Defense Minister Herve Morin says that technical talks with the United Arab Emirates on a potential sale of Rafale fighters are almost over, Agence France-Presse reports.

Negotiations began after the U.A.E. expressed an interest in 2008 to replace its 60 Mirage fighters.

Negotiators are finalizing details on potential improvements to the aircraft, Morin said.

The defense minister said France will likely pick up some of the modernization costs, estimated at about two...