UAE’s Mirage Fighter Jet Transfer to Morocco Delayed Until 2027

The transfer of 30 Mirage 2000-9E Emirati aircraft is the subject of discussions between the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. However, the transfer of these aircraft is conditional on obtaining authorization from France, reports the website Defence Arabia. Abu Dhabi could cede half of its Mirage 2000-9E fleet to the Royal Air Force (FRA) as soon as it receives the French Dassault Rafale F4 aircraft in 2027, the same source adds.

In 1998, the initial contract signed stipulated that any resale or transfer of French-made military aircraft required prior approval from Paris. In December 2021, Abu Dhabi signed a major contract with France for the purchase of 80 Rafale F4 aircraft and 12 military helicopters, for an estimated amount of around $18 billion.

The latest development around the transfer of the 30 Emirati Mirage 2000-9 aircraft follows the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, to France in April 2024. These aircraft will have to strengthen the first-line combat aircraft of the Royal Air Force. The latter currently operates about 24 Mirage F-1MF2000 aircraft.

Manufactured by the French company Dassault, the Mirage 2000-9E is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter. The aircraft has the ability to fire Standoff or cruise missiles for distances of 300 kilometers.