Under the contract with France in 2021, the United Arab Emirates received the first batch of the French Rafare fighter on Thursday, under signs to deepen the connection between the two countries.
The first Rafale Jet, produced by the French company Dassault Aviation for the UAE Air Force, was announced at the ceremony held in Paris. Participants include Emilati’s Minister of Defense Minister Mubarak Mubarak Fadel Al Mazrey, his French counter part, Sebastian Recorne, and the highest representatives of the Ministry of Defense. WAM’s news agency reported.
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“Our strategy focuses on acquiring the most advanced weapons and systems, which agree with the nature of evolving modern war and technology, And Mazrey said at the ceremony.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defense said that the acquisition of a new fighter jet was part of the “historical transaction” signed with Dassau Airlines to “strengthen the UAE Air Force’s abilities.”
In December 2021, France and the United Arab Emirates signed a contract of 16.6 billion euros ($ 17.2 billion) and supplied 80 Rafale Walplanes, one of the world’s most advanced fighters in Gulf. 。 The United Arab Emirates also ordered 12 Calakar Helicopters.
The contract was sealed while French President Emmanuel Macron visited Abu Dhabi. The contract has marked the largest overseas sales of French French fighters, as Egypt has ordered 54 fighters and Qatar has ordered 36.
France has recently passed Russia and became the largest weapon export country in the world. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published in March last year, the exports of the French army have been 11 % in the past five years. The United States continues to lead and accounts for 42 % of the world’s general weapons exports.
Competition between France and the United States over the effects of the Defense of the United Arab Emirates
The acquisition on Thursday is influenced by the United Arab Emirates, despite the fact that the F-35 fighter from Washington is influenced by the French and the United States Prince’s Defense Industry. It happens.
The Defense Bond of the United Arab Emirates has been steadily growing in the past few years.
The United States has been a U -AE top supplier that accounts for 57 % of Emilat’s import between 2019 and 2023, but France is the third largest weapon exporter to the United Arab Emirates after Turkey. It is ranked. According to the 2023 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the period.
The United Arab Emirates also hosts the French Navy base that opened in Port Zweed in Abu Dhabi in 2009.
Both France and the United States fighters and staff are stationed at the Ardafula Air Force Base, a major facility located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
Last year, with the rising tension in the area in the Israeli Hamas in Gaza, the UAE restricted the United States to start attacking Iranian proxies using the facility, fearing a retaliation strike.
Meanwhile, negotiations between the United States and Emilati over the billion dollar contracts on the purchase of the F-35 fighter are on hold.
The purchase of 50 F-35 fighters is a part of a wider range of $ 23 billion, including 18 advanced drone systems and other ammunition. The contract was first proposed at the end of the first term of President Donald Trump in 2021, but then President Joe Biden, with the US concerns about the Defense relations between UAE and China, with Emilati. The consultation has been paused.
In September last year, UAE government officials told Reuters that there was no plan to resume transactions, regardless of the results of the US election. It is unknown whether the position of the United Arab Emirates has changed after Trump earlier this month.
