President Macron Meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, UAE Orders 80 Rafale Fighter Jets And 12 French Caracal Helicopters

Ilustrasi jet tempur Dassault Rafale. (Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Mora)

JAKARTA - The United Arab Emirates ordered 80 Rafale fighter jets on Friday, the largest-ever order for fighter jets, a multi-billion dollar arms contract that deepens economic and political ties with France.

French President Emmanuel Macron began a two-day trip to the Gulf on Friday, including plans to visit Qatar and Saudi Arabia. His visit comes at a time when Gulf Arab states have voiced uncertainty about the United States' focus in the region, even as they seek more weapons from their key security allies.

President Macron has maintained good relations with Abu Dhabi's Crown, Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (MBZ), with investment flowing between the two countries. Meanwhile, Paris has a permanent military base in the capital of the Emirates.

"In addition to the presence of three French military bases on the territory of the UAE, this mutual trust translated into the acquisition of 80 Rafale aircraft, 12 Caracal helicopters, and related elements", the French presidency said in a statement following a signing ceremony between MBZ and President Macron on the sidelines of Dubai Expo 2020.

French Air Force EC 725 Caracal helicopter illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/MCSN Emily M. Blair)

The deal, which is valued at $15 billion, is the largest mass purchase of Dassault-made Rafales apart from the French army and comes after deals in Greece, Egypt, and Croatia this year.

On-off negotiations for the Rafale fighter jets have been going on for more than a decade with Abu Dhabi publicly rejecting France's offer to supply 60 Rafale jets in 2011, as "uncompetitive and unworkable". Abu Dhabi already has Mirage fighters.

To note, defense sources said the Rafale fighter jets will replace the Mirage 2000 fleet, but are unlikely to replace the F-35 fighter jets, as the UAE continues to protect its security with its two main suppliers, France and the United States.