After being suspended for three years, France "has agreed" to the transfer of 30 Mirage 2000 -9s from the UAE (United arab Emirates) to Morocco. This decision, according to North African sources, was made after much hesitation by Emmanuel Macron's administration, motivated by a desire to repurchase them to deliver to Ukraine. However, after their refusal, the issue of these Mirage 2000s is again a discussion topic.
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Mirage 2000 of French armed forces. (Picture source French MoD)
The transfer of the thirty aircraft faced French opposition and required the approval of 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 manufacturer's country, France, approves it.
The "Mirage 2000-9" aircraft that the United Arab Emirates decided to grant to Morocco as part of military cooperation between the two countries are the latest version of this type specifically manufactured for the UAE Air Force, as they possess high capabilities and modern technology used to carry out high precision airstrikes. This made their transfer to Morocco an urgent necessity to strengthen its air force amid regional tensions, according to the aforementioned sources.
The Mirage 2000-9 is an advanced version of the famous Mirage 2000 fighter jet series, developed by the French company Dassault Aviation. Specifically designed to meet the needs of the United Arab Emirates, this variant is distinguished by significant improvements in operational capabilities and onboard technologies. Equipped with modern avionics systems, improved detection capabilities with its sophisticated radar, and the ability to carry a wide range of munitions, the Mirage 2000-9 is optimized for air superiority missions as well as precision ground attacks.
The Mirage 2000 can carry a maximum payload of 6300 kilograms across nine attachment points distributed between the fuselage and the wings. This allows it to transport a variety of armaments, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, guided or conventional bombs, and a 30mm DEFA internal cannon.
Among the files discussed last Wednesday between the foreign ministers of the two countries was the French approval of the agreement on the "Mirage 2000-9" aircraft, which Paris finally accepted after Abu Dhabi insisted on completing the transfer of these aircraft to Morocco following their agreement.
French hesitation was due to Paris's desire to buy back 40 Emirati "Mirage 2000-9" aircraft, of high capacity and modern technology, and transfer them to Ukraine to support its war against Russia, while the United Arab Emirates preferred to relinquish 69 aircraft of this model, 30 of which were destined for Morocco and 39 in favor of Egypt.
Defense News April 2024
