The aircraft will remain in France for the next few years, undergoing testing and certification before entering operational service. According to the agreed schedule, deliveries to the UAE are set to begin in 2027 and will continue until the end of 2031.
Notre partenariat de défense avec les Émirats Arabes Unis s’appuie sur un fort niveau d’interopérabilité entre nos armées, notamment sur le volet aérien.
À Istres, avec mon homologue Mohamed Bin Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, pour la sortie d’atelier du premier Rafale à destination… pic.twitter.com/2vmMDB1wHR
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) January 29, 2025
The contract for 80 Rafale F4 aircraft was signed in December 2021 and formally came into effect in the first quarter of 2022. This deal marks a significant milestone in French diplomatic and defence relations, as the UAE becomes the first export customer for the advanced F4 variant.
The new Rafale F4s will replace the UAE’s ageing fleet of Dassault Mirage 2000-9 aircraft, ensuring continued diversification of the country’s military equipment. The UAE currently operates a mix of French and American fighter jets, with the United States also supplying its F-16E/F Fighting Falcon Block 60 aircraft.
With potential geopolitical shifts, a possible return of Donald Trump to the US presidency could revive discussions about selling Lockheed Martin’s F-35A Lightning II to the UAE. Such a move would further modernise the country’s air force and provide additional strategic options alongside the Rafale fleet.
Dassault Aviation currently holds orders for 220 Rafale jets, with more than 36% of them allocated to the UAE.
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