Rafale jet deal with France will not replace talks for US F-35s, says UAE official

Emirates to change its Air Force Mirage fleet for 80 Rafale fighter jets

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Leadership Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, greets Mr Macron. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron discussed friendly relations and co-operation in various sectors. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron inside the UAE pavilion, with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chief executive and managing director of Mubadala, Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Youth, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai and French ministers and executives. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Emmanuel Macron witness a signing ceremony for various agreements. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Macron with Mohammed Al Hammadi, chief executive of Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, right, and Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery of France. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed and Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, attend the MoU signing ceremony. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The Ministry of Defence said it will replace its Air Force Mirage fleet with Rafale fighter jets. The contract also includes maintenance and the training of Air Force personnel who will fly the fighter jets. AFP

A pilot sitting in a Rafale fighter jet at the 2021 Dubai Airshow. AFP

The UAE has said its decision to buy Rafale fighter jets from France will not replace its continuing talks with the US for its F-35s. AFP

A US Marine Corps officer prepares an F-35B Lightning II before taking off for a live-fire training exercise on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Photo: EPA

The UAE has said its decision to buy Rafale fighter jets from France will not replace its continuing talks with the US for its F-35s.

Maj Gen Staff Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence, said on Sunday: "The signed contract with France is not a substitute for the US F-35 ongoing discussions.

"It's rather complementary to our Air Force capabilities as we continue to develop our air defence systems and seek new products and advanced technologies as part of our overall National Security Strategy."

The UAE will buy 80 Rafale fighter jets from France after an agreement was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Dubai on Friday.

The Ministry of Defence said it will replace its Air Force Mirage fleet with Rafale fighter jets.

The contract also includes maintenance and the training of Air Force personnel who will fly the fighter jets.

"The UAE has been in a process of a thorough review of global markets for options,” said Maj Gen Staff Pilot Al Alawi.

“Based on our talks with our French counterparts, we came to a mutual agreement that the Rafale provides the best option for the UAE's security and defence."

The UAE and France signed several strategic deals during Mr Macron's visit last week.

These included an accord between Mubadala Investment Company and the French Economy Ministry, as well as an agreement between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Total, among several others.

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