First UAEAF Rafale unveiled
On 29 January 2025, Dassault Aviation presented the first Rafale fighter aircraft for the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF).
During a ceremony at Dassault Aviation’s production facility in Bordeaux-Mérignac, the first two-seat Rafale, serial 1101, was officially unveiled by Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, in the presence of French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and Emirati Minister of Defence Mohamed Bin Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei.
On 3 December 2021, the United Arab Emirates placed an order for 80 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters for the UAEAF. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with Éric Trappier and Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, CEO of Tawazun Economic Council - responsible for security and defense acquisitions - signed a contract for the purchase of the fighters.
The order of 80 aircraft is divided into 55 single seat Rafale EU (customer numbers EU01 to EU55) and 25 two-seat Rafale DU (customer numbers DU01 to DU25).
The new fighters will replace the Mirage 2000, making the UAEAF the first operator of the Rafale F4 outside France. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027 and continue through 2031.
Credit photo: Dassault Aviation