UAE receives first batch of Rafale fighter jets

The UAE has received the first batch of 80 French Rafale F4 fighter jets, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday, as the Gulf country moves to boost its defence capabilities.

“We will continue to search for new technologies that double the strength of our forces to serve our interests,” the Minister of State for Defence Affairs, His Excellency Mohamed bin Mubarak Fadhel al-Mazrouei, said.

Worth 16.6 billion euro, the deal is “one of the most prominent defence deals in the history of UAE-French relations,” the Ministry said.

The Dassault-built Rafale is a French twin-engine fighter jet that has also recently been supplied to Qatar, Egypt, India, and Greece.

The deal with the UAE was signed in December 2021, marking the largest defence contract for France in terms of quantity and value. Under the agreement, Dassault will provide comprehensive support packages, including logistical support, training for pilots, and weapons systems integration.

“With the support of the French authorities, Dassault Aviation is committed to providing the United Arab Emirates, today and tomorrow, with cutting-edge capabilities that contribute to safeguarding its sovereignty and its influence as a major international power,” Dassault aviation said.

Ce premier Rafale au standard F4 pour les Émirats Arabes Unis est le résultat de la forte détermination et de la grande efficacité des ingénieurs émiriens et français. Il témoigne du haut niveau de coopération entre les deux Nations. pic.twitter.com/8URYZ4VZWG

— Dassault Aviation (@Dassault_OnAir) January 29, 2025

This acquisition was part of a broader strategy by the UAE to modernise its military capabilities, ensuring they remain at the forefront of regional air power. 

The Rafale F4 is expected to complement the country’s existing F-16 and Mirage 2000 fleet, as the country seeks to acquire F-35 aircraft from the United States.