Proud Partner of UAE – News

Since 1972, the company has maintained a tradition of providing state-of-the-art technology and enhancing capabilities to the UAE Air Force and Air Defense Forces

For more than fifty years, Dassault Aviation has been a trusted partner of the UAE, supplying and supporting the country’s Air Force and Air Defense Forces with the most powerful fighter jets featuring the latest French technology. The recent acquisition of the Rafale fighter jet marks the culmination of this relationship and the beginning of a new era of cooperation.

Emirates AF and AD and Mirage aircraft series

The cooperation between the UAE and Dassault Aviation dates back to the early 1970s, when the Federation was formed and created the first UAE Air Force. Known worldwide for its flight envelope and ruggedness, the Mirage 5 is the first Dassault Aviation fighter jet selected by the UAE.

In the 1980s, the Emirates AF and AD selected the Mirage 2000 aircraft to increase its power and capabilities, a huge step forward in technology thanks to its “fly-by-wire” flight controls and modern avionics.

In the 2000s, the UAE decided to increase its fleet of Mirage 2000 aircraft and convert them into the Mirage 2000-9, the most advanced version of the Mirage 2000 series. The Mirage 2000-9 is intended to be a true “multi-role” fighter, adding some unique capabilities to the UAE Armed Forces. The Mirage 2000-9 upgrade program signed between GHQ of the UAE Armed Forces and Dassault Aviation in 2019 has once again increased the aircraft’s firepower and capabilities to an unrivaled level.

On 3 December 2021, in the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron, Tawazun Economic Council CEO Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani and Da The historical contract for the purchase of 80 Rafale F4 fighter jets for UAE AF and AD was signed in the presence of Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Somalia Airlines.

Selected for the seventh time by a country, the Rafale is today a true “game changer” on the world geopolitical scene and an undisputed instrument of independence and sovereignty, as proven by its evident operational expertise and export success.

The F4 standard chosen by the UAE Armed Forces is the latest version of the Rafale being developed in France and will enter service at the same time as the French Air Force and Space Force. In addition to the numerous state-of-the-art capabilities the Rafale has already proven in the field, the Rafale F4 will also provide the UAE AF and AD with advanced capabilities in connectivity, networking and new weapons. It will actively contribute to ensuring the sovereignty of the UAE and consolidating its role as an international power.

In addition, the UAE has not only purchased the latest Rafale F4, but has also joined France’s roadmap, which will bring opportunities to participate in future aircraft upgrades. This is further evidence of a long-term strategic partnership, which includes extensive military cooperation between the air forces of the two countries, supported by the permanent presence of the FASF on UAE soil (French air base BA104 in Al Dhafra).

Shaping the Future of Relationships

Dassault Aviation has supported the UAE over the years, supplying the UAE Armed Forces with the highest performing aircraft, meeting the requirements of the UAE Air Force and the Aerospace Agency, and providing full support to maintain the highest level of aircraft even in challenging times availability.

This relationship goes far beyond the standard “supplier-client” relationship, gradually strengthening into a strategic partnership with the UAE Armed Forces and TAWAZUN, and gradually expanding to new players in the UAE society and economy, including university and industrial collaborations partner.

Seeing UAE human capital development as a pillar of this strategy, Dassault Aviation has been working on development projects for over 20 years, all of which are aimed at increasing knowledge, skills and building capacity in the UAE for the country’s autonomy and sovereignty Contribute, in line with the long-term vision of the UAE leadership. As an example to illustrate this strategy, it should be emphasized that every year Dassault Aviation welcomes an Emarati employee studying in engineering or technical school in France and the UAE for some internships and hands-on learning at its factories.

As a continuation of the Mirage 2000-9 program supporting the UAE Air Force and the development of anti-dumping expertise, Dassault Aviation believes that the Rafale program will present multiple opportunities to collaborate with TAWAZUN, the UAE Armed Forces and other UAE partners to develop the ambitious The project is in the areas of research and development, engineering, testing, maintenance and logistical support, and expands Dassault Aviation’s footprint in the UAE.