United Arab Emirates signs record contract for 80 Rafale fighters

French manufacturer Dassault signed today the biggest contract in its history, 80 Rafale fighters in the F4 variant with United Arab Emirates (UAE). Deliveries will take place between 2027 and 2031.

The total cost will be 16 billion €:

- 14 billion for the fighters
- 2 billion for an armament package that includes MICA NG and cruise missiles Black Saheen, a local variant of the MBDA SCALP

UAE becomes the sixth foreign operator after Egypt (54), Qatar (24), India (36), Greece (18) and Croatia (12). With this contract, the production line is guaranteed for years, and France will have more flexibility when ordering the next tranches. To put the 16 billion € into context, the cost of the Rafale program from 1989 to 2018 was 28.438 billion €, including operations and maintenance.

Rafale (Dassault).

Statement by Dasssault.

The F4 variant is currently being developed, and incorporates improvement in the AESA radar and SPECTRA system. It has also received a Scorpion helmet, better communications and new weapons.

References:

- https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/
- http://www.opex360.com/
- https://www.lefigaro.fr/economie
- https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance

United Arab Emirated acquires 2 more A330MRTT

Dubai Airshow has kicked off with new contracts being anounced. UAE Air Force has signed for 2 Airbus A330 Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft increasing the country’s MRTT fleet up to five aircraft.

The contract is thought to be 670 million $ and includes the upgrade of previously delivered aircraft. Deliveries will start in 2024.

References:

- https://twitter.com/Rotorfocus/
- https://www.airbus.com/

Contracts between United Arab Emirates and Russia

United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed an agreement with Rosoboronexport for the supply of 5000 AT missiles. So far there are no details on the type, but it could be Kornet-E. The contract is worth 708 million $ and includes support and training.

An agreement on the development of a light 5° generation fighter aircraft has been signed. Sukhoi and MiG would provide designs for the type, which will be single engined. RSK MiG has been privately developing a 5° generation fighter aircraft, but the latest concepts were 2 engined.

Su-35 in Syria (Sputnik).

Finally, negotiations are ongoing about a Sukhoi Su-35 sale. I would find this very surprising because UAE is supposed to be very close to acquire Dassault Rafale. The Mirage 2000-9 operated by the Air Force could be part of this deal.

References:

- http://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/general/uae-russia-sign-dh26b-anti-armour-missile-deal-1
- https://lenta.ru/news/2017/02/20/arabian_fighter/

Yemeni rebels destroy Emirati military vessel

These photos show the damage suffered by an Emirati HSV-2 catamaran. The boat was attacked bu houthi rebels in Bab al-Mandab strait in the early hours of last Saturday (check Charly015 analysis analysis). As it was dark, it was not possible to confirm if it was an actual attack or just a propaganda video.

UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the attack, claiming that it was a civil ship carrying wounded Yemenis and civilians. According to their information, the ship was on a civilian mission and was chartered to the National Marine Dredging Company. It is likely that a Chinese antiship missile YJ-8 was used on the attack.

References

- Photos found in twitter.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37561749
- http://charly015.blogspot.co.uk