Rafale seen from the front of the Sanicole Airshow in Belgium. Photo taken by Tom Houquet./www.dassault-aviation.com
On December 3, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ordered 80 Dassault Rafale fighter jets and 12 Eurocopter EC725 Caracal military helicopters in a massive arms deal with France.
The deal was signed at a ceremony between Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo 2020.
In a statement, the French Presidency said that the deal is worth $19 billion. This makes it the largest ever overseas sale of the French warplane.
“This contract cements a strategic partnership that is stronger than ever and directly contributes to regional stability,” the statement reads.
French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly described the arms deal as “historic,” promising that it will provide hundreds of new jobs in France. Shares in Dassault Aviation SA , the Rafale’s manufacturer, rose more than 9% after the deal.
The advanced Rafales will most likely replace the UAE Air Force’s ageing Mirage 2000 fighter jets, which will likely be stored or sold.
By purchasing Rafale fighter jets, the UAE is following the footsteps of Qatar, which has bought 36 of the craft, and Egypt which ordered 24 in 2015 and 30 earlier this year.
The massive arms deal will without a doubt give a major boost to the already strong relations between the UAE and France.
