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France Approves Transfer of 30 Mirage 2000-9 Jets from UAE to Morocco: Strengthening Air Defense Capabilities
France has given the green light for the transfer of 30 Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Morocco, signaling a significant boost to Morocco's air defense capabilities. The decision, finalized on Wednesday, emerged from discussions between the foreign affairs ministers of Morocco and France.
This transfer is a key component of a broader cooperation agreement, wherein the UAE will acquire 80 Rafale fighter jets from France. Despite initial opposition from Paris, the French government has now sanctioned the deal.
The Mirage 2000-9, an export variant of the Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2, was initially procured by the UAE as its first customer, ordering 32 new-build aircraft, including 20 single-seaters and 12 two-seaters.
Initial reluctance from France to endorse the transfer reportedly stemmed from its contemplation of repurchasing the 40 Emirati Mirage 2000-9 aircraft for potential allocation to Ukraine, supporting its conflict against Russia. However, the UAE opted to relinquish 69 aircraft, with 30 destined for Morocco and 39 for Egypt.
Morocco's acquisition of the Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets aligns with its ongoing efforts to fortify its air defense capabilities. Notably, in recent years, the North African nation has actively expanded its drone inventory, amassing over 233 drones by 2024, making it the second-largest drone arsenal on the African continent. Egypt leads with over 260 drones.
While Morocco's air defense modernization reflects its proactive stance, it has elicited concerns from its northern neighbor, Spain, despite the notable improvements in diplomatic relations since their reconciliation in 2022. The Spanish media has depicted Morocco's air defense acquisitions as potentially adversarial for Spain.
The approval of the Mirage 2000-9 transfer to Morocco underscores the strategic partnership between France and Morocco, poised to bolster the latter's air defense capabilities in the region.