Massive aircraft order UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ordered almost 100 new aircraft with a total value of 17 billion € (USD 19 billion).
On 3 December 2021, Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane, Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, signed a contract with Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, CEO of Tawazun Economic Council, in charge of security and defence acquisitions, for the acquisition of eighty Dassault Rafale F4 fighters for the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF).
The new fighters will replace the Mirage 2000, of which the UAEAF still has 59 in its active inventory. The UAEAF will be the first Rafale F4 user outside France. Delivery of the new fighters is expected to start in 2027.
Next to the Rafales, the UAE also ordered twelve H225M Caracal twin-engined long-range tactical transport military helicopters.
The H225M was developed from the AS532 Cougar family and was originally marketed as the Airbus EC725. The first EC725 prototype performed its maiden flight in November 2000. By 2015, the helicopter has been re-designated as the H225M.
The UAEAF will use the H225Ms in the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and anti-ship role. The value of this contract is estimated between 700 and 800 million €. It has not been reported when delivery of the new helicopters will start.
Photos by Swingwing (Scramble Archive) and Airbus Helicopters