UAE Inaugurates First Dassault Rafale Fighter Jet

UAE's Ministry of Defence has announced the inauguration of the first Dassault Rafale fighter jet, part of an initial delivery enhancing the capabilities of the country's Armed Forces. The launch ceremony was held in Paris in the presence of Mohamed bin Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, UAE's Minister of State for Defence Affairs.

According to the Emirates News Agency report, the Rafale deal, valued at €16.6 billion, marks one of the significant defence agreements in UAE-France relations and includes the production of 80 state-of-the-art fighter jets. The acquisition of these jets is part of a broader plan to modernise the UAE's defence capabilities, including upgrading the Air Force fleet with cutting-edge military equipment to address evolving regional and global security challenges. Notably, the agreement also includes a comprehensive training programme to qualify pilots and technicians, ensuring the highest readiness levels among national personnel.