France Authorizes the Transfer of 30 Mirage 2009-E Aircraft from Abu Dhabi to Morocco

16 April 2024

In June 2023 the Indonesian MoD said that it is currently negotiating with the UAE to purchase the Mirage 2000-9 aircraft (photo: Tactical Report)

After keeping it suspended for three years, France “has agreed” to the transfer of 30 Emirati Mirage 2000-9 aircraft to Morocco. This decision, according to North African sources consulted by LA RAZÓN, has been adopted after many doubts on the part of Emmanuel Macron's administration.

The transfer of the thirty aircraft faced French opposition and required approval from Paris, according to the initial sales contract between Abu Dhabi and Paris, which prohibits the transfer of these aircraft to a third party until the manufacturing country, France approves.

The "Mirage 2000-9" aircraft that the United Arab Emirates decided to grant to Morocco within the framework of military cooperation between both countries are the last version of this type manufactured specifically for the United Arab Emirates Air Force, as they have high capabilities and modern technology used to carry out high precision air strikes. According to the aforementioned sources, this made its transfer to Morocco an urgent need to strengthen its air forces in the face of regional tensions.

Among the files discussed last Wednesday between the foreign ministers of both countries was the French approval of the agreement on the “Mirage 2000-9” aircraft, which Paris finally agreed to after Abu Dhabi insisted on completing the transfer of these aircraft to Morocco after its signing, on the agreement to acquire 80 French “Rafale” military attack aircraft in 2021.

The French hesitation was due to Paris' desire to buy back 40 Emirati “Mirage 2000-9” aircraft, with high capacity and modern technology, and transfer them to Ukraine to support its war against Russia, while the United Arab Emirates preferred to give up 69 aircraft. this model, 30 of which went to Morocco and 39 in favor of Egypt.

(LaRazon)