The United Arab Emirates is buying 80 Rafale fighters. Yesterday, December 3, the press service of Dassault Aviation announced the signing of a "historic contract" for the latest modification of a combat aircraft.
As part of the contract, the UAE will receive 80 Rafale F4 fighters, which will replace the fleet of outdated Mirage 2000-9. The UAE will become the first export customers of the newest version of the aircraft, which is officially under development until 2023.
Rafale fighters
Image source: dassault-aviation.com
According to the FRANCE 24 news agency, in addition to fighters, 12 multi-purpose Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal helicopters are included in the comprehensive contract. According to unofficial data, the total value of the transaction is about €17 billion. Of these, €1 billion is planned to be spent on helicopters, €2 billion on ammunition, and the remaining €14 billion on aircraft, training, logistics and additional equipment. The delivery of fighters is planned from 2027.
This purchase will make the UAE the largest customer of Rafale fighters after France. The United Arab Emirates has already become the sixth foreign buyer of these aircraft. At the same time, 2021 was a very successful year for Dassault Aviation — three countries ordered Rafale for the first time (Greece, Croatia and the UAE), in addition, Egypt expressed its intention to purchase an additional batch of 30 aircraft (to the 24 previously purchased).
