The UAE has paid a record $19 billion to the French government for 80 Rafale fighter planes and 12 military helicopters. It is the greatest overseas sale of Rafale planes, and it was disclosed over the weekend during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Expo 2020 Dubai.
Rafale planes were created to be contemporary jet fighters with a high level of agility. According to the maker Dessault, they are “extremely powerful, very agile, and very discrete.” Although discreet is hardly the term we’d choose to describe a multi-million-pound killing machine!
The contract for the Rafale fighters has been in the works for over a decade, but now that it is finalised, the UAE will begin receiving planes in 2027. In addition, the Rafale planes are expected to replace the UAE”s Mirage 2000 fleet, providing the UAE two high-class fighter jets: the Rafale and the American-built F-35.
The sale also includes 12 Caracal Helicopters, which are a military variant of the Super Puma with many roles.
