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France Inks ‘Historic’ Deal to Purchase 80 French-Made Rafale Fighter Jets


Fri 03 Dec 2021 | 02:28 PM
Ahmed Emam

France and the United Arab Emirates revealed on Friday that they had inked a €17 billion deal on the supply of 80 advanced Rafale warplanes, manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation.

According to French media, the agreement for the jets and helicopters is worth around €17 billion.

In a statement, the French presidency said: the UAE, one of the French defense industry's biggest customers, also agreed to buy 12 Caracal military transport helicopters.

"This is an outcome of the strategic partnership between the two countries, consolidating their capacity to act together for their autonomy and security," the statement noted.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly cited the deal as ‘historic’ in a tweet and said it contributed ‘directly to regional stability.

It's worth mentioning that French President Emmanuel Macron has developed a successful relationship and partnership with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (MBZ), with investments flowing between both countries.

Paris has a permanent military base in the Emirati capital.