Possible transfer of UAE AF Mirage 2000 to Morocco

The Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya Marakishiya (RMAF, Royal Moroccan Air Force) is set to bolster its capabilities with the acquisition of up to 30 Mirage 2000-9E fighter aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Currently, discussions are progressing on this transfer where the UAE will transfer half of its operational fleet of Mirage 2000-9E to Morocco.

Although still not officially confirmed, the administration of French President Emmanuel Macron approved the transfer to Morocco, highlighting broader military cooperation between France and the UAE.

This collaboration includes the UAE's purchase of 80 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters, a deal signed on 3 December 2021. The first Rafales are expected to be delivered in 2027.

In addition to the Mirage 2000-9E acquisition, Morocco is slated to receive new Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 fighter aircraft in 2027 and plans to upgrade its current fleet of F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcons.

On 25 March 2019, the US State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Morocco. This included 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 4.8 billion, as well as upgrades for Morocco’s existing fleet of 23 F‑16C/D Block 52+ fighters to the F‑16 Block 70/72 configuration, valued at approximately USD 985 million.

The Mirage 2000-9E is a multirole, single-seat fighter originally developed for the UAE as an advanced variant of the Mirage 2000-5. These aircraft have undergone upgrades through contracts with Dassault Aviation, Thales, and MBDA, significantly enhancing their combat capabilities.

It has not been mentioned whether the delivery of the Mirage 2000-9E aircraft will consist of both single-seat and dual-seat versions or only the single-seat variant.

Credit photo: Jurgen van Toor (Scramble Archive)