France Officially Delivers Rafale Fighter Jets to the UAE

[+GKABS]

The French government delivered the first of 80 Rafale jets purchased by the UAE this week, in a deal that highlights the competition between France and the U.S. for influence in the Arabian Gulf.

At a ceremonial event held at Dassault’s facilities in Istres, southern France, Dassault’s president and French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu handed over a Rafale F-4 fighter jet, tail number 1101, to UAE Defense Minister Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Mazrouei. This marks a significant milestone in the agreement between the two nations, which includes the purchase of 80 Rafale fighter jets and 12 ‘Caracal’ helicopters for €16 billion.