Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: IOF's top lawyer hands in resignation over leak of Sde Teiman video
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone strike targets motorcycle in Kawnin, South Lebanon.
Hegseth in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart: Washington will continue to defend its interests vigorously
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: The United States is concerned about China's activities in the South China Sea
Occupied Palestine: Israeli occupation forces demolishe residential homes east of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone attacked the main road in the town of Harouf, South Lebanon.
Lebanese President: Israeli aggression on Blida took place in aftermath of meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks Commander of Lebanese Army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated Lebanese territory in the South.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.

UAE: French Warplanes not a Substitute for US Jets

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 Dec 2021 14:46
3 Min Read

Head of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence stated that Rafale jets would replace the UAE's French-built Mirage 2000 fleet in an arms procurement for 17 billion euros ($19.2 billion).

  • x
  • UAE MoD: French Warplanes not a Substitute for US Jets
    UAE acquired 80 Dassault Aviation Rafales and 12 Airbus Helicopters Caracal combat helicopters.

The UAE's defense ministry said the acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets would complement the UAE's planned purchase of American F-35 fighter jets, which has been slowed due to Washington's concerns about Abu Dhabi's relationship with China.

In an arms procurement for 17 billion euros ($19.2 billion), the Gulf state acquired 80 Dassault Aviation Rafales and 12 Airbus Helicopters Caracal combat helicopters from France on Friday.

The Rafale jets will replace the UAE's French-built Mirage 2000 fleet, according to Major General Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, head of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, in a statement on state news agency WAM late Saturday.

"This deal is not considered as an alternative for the forthcoming F-35 deal, it is rather a complementary deal ... as we develop our air force capabilities," Alawi said, adding the UAE had for some time been looking to replace its Mirage fleet.

US arms sale to UAE

Last month, a US official announced that the US intends to move forward with the sale of 50 F-35 stealth fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates, but there must be a clear understanding of "Emirati obligations." 

Mira Resnick, a deputy US assistant secretary of state, said in a call with reporters: "We continue consulting with Emirati officials to ensure we have unmistakable, clear mutual understanding concerning Emirati obligations and actions before, during, and after delivery." Resnick did not elaborate on what these obligations are.

The sale of 50 F-35 fighter jets to the UAE was halted due to US worries about Abu Dhabi's ties with China, notably the country's use of Huawei 5G technology

After the UAE normalized ties with "Israel" last year, the US agreed to sell the jets under then-President Donald Trump. The transaction will be completed this year, according to President Joe Biden's administration.

French arms sale to UAE 

The investigative French website Disclose revealed that France delivered tens of thousands of arms to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar during President Francois Hollande's reign in 2016, despite knowing that they would be used in the war on Yemen.

The website quoted "secret defense documents" that "since 2016, France has allowed the delivery of about 150,000 shells" to its two Gulf allies.

Documents belonging to the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security show that there were intense discussions between the Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, which were settled by Hollande according to the site. 

  • UAE
  • Israel
  • French warplane
  • US jet planes

Most Read

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS