Mirage 2000 Transfer to Morocco Delayed as Regional Tensions Rise

 

The planned transfer of 30 Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates to Morocco is facing delays, as the ongoing crisis involving Iran reshapes military priorities across the Gulf.

Originally approved in 2024 with French authorization, the deal is now effectively on hold. The reason is straightforward: the UAE is unwilling to reduce its frontline combat fleet while facing sustained missile and drone threats from Iran.

Since late February 2026, Emirati air defenses have been under intense pressure. Hundreds of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones have been launched toward the UAE, with air and missile defence systems—supported by fighter aircraft—intercepting the vast majority of them. 

Crucially, the Mirage 2000-9 has played an active operational role in this environment. Alongside F-16 Block 60 fighters, these aircraft have been used to intercept Iranian drones and potentially contribute to the wider air defence network, highlighting their continued relevance in high-intensity conflict. 

At the same time, more controversial reports have emerged. Iranian sources have accused UAE-operated Mirage 2000-9 jets of conducting a strike against infrastructure on Lavan Island. However, no independent confirmation exists, and the claims remain unverified, illustrating the fog of war now surrounding the Gulf theatre. 

This dual reality—proven defensive utility and contested offensive involvement—underscores why Abu Dhabi is reluctant to release these aircraft.

For Morocco, the delay comes at a sensitive time. Rabat had expected the Mirage 2000-9 to provide a significant qualitative boost, particularly in beyond-visual-range combat and precision strike capabilities. The aircraft, one of the most advanced Mirage variants ever built, would have complemented Morocco’s existing F-16 fleet.

However, the regional balance is shifting rapidly.

Algeria, Morocco’s main strategic rival, is moving ahead with the acquisition of the Russian Su-57E, positioning itself to become the first operator of a fifth-generation fighter in Africa. Even in limited numbers, the introduction of a stealth aircraft with advanced sensors and long-range weapons would represent a major leap in capability.

In this context, the delayed arrival of the Emirati Mirages creates a growing capability gap for Morocco, particularly as its own F-16 Block 70 deliveries continue to face scheduling uncertainty.

Ultimately, the Mirage transfer remains viable—but increasingly dependent on external factors. The pace of Rafale deliveries to the UAE, the evolution of the conflict with Iran, and the broader strategic competition in North Africa will all shape whether and when these aircraft finally reach Moroccan service.

France’s Remaining 26 Mirage 2000-5 Fighters Could Soon Go to Ukraine

When France announced that it would transfer Dassault Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine, many observers initially assumed the move would be symbolic—limited numbers, limited impact. In reality, the program could prove more significant than early reports suggested.

Before the transfers began, the French Air and Space Force operated roughly 26 Mirage 2000-5F fighters. These aircraft were already being phased out as the Dassault Rafale gradually replaced older Mirage units. This transition created an opportunity: aircraft that were no longer essential to French frontline units could be transferred without seriously affecting national readiness.

Initial deliveries to Ukraine were reportedly limited, likely intended to establish training pipelines, logistics and operational integration. But if the program continues, analysts believe Kyiv could ultimately receive somewhere in the range of 18 to 24 aircraft, depending on how many France retains as reserve assets and how quickly Rafale deliveries progress.

Operationally, the Mirage 2000-5 will likely play a role focused on air defense and interception rather than deep strike. Ukraine already operates a growing number of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters from Western partners, and the Mirage fleet would complement these aircraft rather than duplicate their mission profile. In practice, this means intercepting cruise missiles, countering drones and helping maintain defensive air patrols over critical areas.

A key element of the Mirage 2000-5’s capability is the MICA missile, its primary air-to-air weapon. The missile exists in two variants: the radar-guided MICA RF and the infrared-guided MICA IR. This dual-seeker approach offers tactical flexibility. Pilots can launch missiles using different guidance methods against the same target, complicating enemy countermeasures.

The infrared version in particular offers an interesting advantage: it can engage targets without requiring continuous radar emission, allowing the launching aircraft to remain more discreet. In a battlespace saturated with sensors and electronic warfare systems, that capability can be valuable.

For Ukraine, this combination of aircraft and missile systems could significantly strengthen air defense operations. Russian attacks have relied heavily on cruise missiles and Iranian-designed drones, and aircraft capable of intercepting these threats remain in high demand. Mirage 2000-5 fighters, optimized for air-to-air combat, are well suited to that mission.

The result may be a small but effective Western fighter mix inside the Ukrainian Air Force: F-16s carrying AIM-120 missiles alongside Mirage 2000-5 aircraft equipped with MICA. Together, they could help sustain defensive air patrols and intercept incoming threats across a wide portion of Ukrainian airspace.

In short, the Mirage program may turn out to be more than a temporary measure. If additional aircraft are transferred, Ukraine could end up operating one of the largest active Mirage 2000-5 fleets in the world—giving a fighter designed in the late Cold War a new and unexpected role in one of the most intense air defense campaigns of the 21st century. 

Ethiopia Confirms New Russian SU-30, Yak-130 Jets Amid Emirati Mirage 2000 Rumor

The recent 90th Anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force (EtAF), celebrated at Bishoftu Air Base in January 2026, served as a definitive showcase for Addis Ababa’s aggressive modernization program. This is not merely a quantitative increase in airframes, but a calculated doctrinal shift toward a high-tech ecosystem integrating advanced training, air superiority, and multi-role versatility.

Yak-130: The Foundation for Advanced Training and CAS

A key highlight of the "Black Lion 2026" exhibition was the confirmation of the Yakovlev Yak-130 in operational service. At least six units (serials 2301 to 2306) were displayed, indicating that the first batch of an estimated 10-aircraft contract is now active.

Mission Profile: Beyond its primary role as a Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT), the Yak-130's hardpoints allow it to function effectively in Close Air Support (CAS) roles.

Bridging the Gap: This platform is essential for transitioning pilots toward 4.5-generation fighters, simulating the flight profiles and avionics of heavy combat aircraft.

Su-35 and Su-30K: Consolidation of Air Superiority

The EtAF is systematically replacing its aging Su-27 fleet with modernized "Flanker" variants from various sources.

• Su-30K: Operations have been confirmed for the units delivered in 2024 (serials 2401 and 2402), which were refurbished Russian-origin aircraft formerly operated by India.
• Su-35 "Flanker-E": Credible reports indicate a contract for at least six Su-35 units. The integration of the Flanker-E provides Ethiopia with superior BVR (Beyond Visual Range) capabilities and thrust-vectoring maneuverability.

The UAE Connection: The Mirage 2000-9 and the French Approval Factor

The potential transfer of 20 Mirage 2000-9 fighters from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would complete Ethiopia's multi-role capability. While the Su-35 and Su-30 focus on long-range air dominance, the Emirati Mirage—renowned for its advanced avionics—would provide surgical tactical flexibility.

However, a critical geopolitical hurdle remains: End-User Certificate (EUC) compliance. As the original manufacturer, France must formally approve the re-export of these aircraft to a third party. While Abu Dhabi is keen to offload the fleet to make room for its incoming Rafale F4s, Paris will weigh this decision against regional stability and its own diplomatic interests in the Horn of Africa. Without the Élysée's green light, the transfer remains a strategic ambition rather than a logistical reality.

This modernization, bolstered by Bayraktar Akinci and Orion UAVs, signals Ethiopia's intent to establish a hybrid force structure capable of regional dominance by the end of the decade.

Rafale, MIrage 2000 or Gripen likely to be Bulgaria interim fighter aircraft

The Bulgarian government looks to be edging closer to reaching an agreement for an interim fighter aircraft after holding talks with Sweden and France, while the southeastern European nation awaits American F-16s.
The potential acquisition of the jets was prompted by Lockheed Martin when it delayed delivery of F-16 Block 70 aircraft to Sofia from 2023 to 2025.
Bulgaria requires an “interim” type to replace an aging MiG-29 fleet that’s expected to be unserviceable due to maintenance issues from the end of 2023 onward.
Until the F-16s reach full operational capability around 2028-2030, interim fighters will have to be used for the purpose of carrying out the Air Policing mission in the airspace of Bulgaria.
The interim fighter acquisition started out with Bulgaria sending letters to the United States, Sweden, France, Israel, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, detailing the possibility of leasing second-hand aircraft. The Netherlands, Spain and Italy have all since confirmed they are unable to meet the request, according to the Bulgarian MoD spokesperson. 

“Sweden and France have responded favorably to our request,” spokesperson said. “We have initiated talks with [both]… to explore the possibilities for [the] interim fighter acquisition. We have not received any offers yet.”
Sweden could offer Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D aircraft with France in a position to either pitch its Mirage 2000 or Rafale jets. Both the Swedish and French governments have not responded to requests for comment.
breakingdefense 

MOROCCO WILL RECEIVE UP TO 68 ADVANCED MIRAGE 2000-9 FROM UAE AMID TENSIONES WITH SPAIN AND ALGERIA FOR SPANISH WESTERN SAHARA AND SPANISH TERRITORIES IN NORTH AFRICA

The UAE will transfers its fleet of 68 Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets to Morocco, after purchasing 80 Rafale fighter jets from France. The Mirage 2000-9 fleet which currently equips the United Arab Emirates air force will be transferred to Morocco. 

In 2017, the Emirates signed a contract with Dassault Aviation to modernize around sixty Mirage 2000s. The UAE signed an agreement to acquire 80 Rafale, the largest obtained internationally for the fighter to be delivered from 2027. In this way, Morocco, after signing military agreements with the US and with Israel will now benefit from the weaponry that the UAE withdraws from its military. In this way, UAE will transfer up to his fleet of 68 Mirage 2000-9 fighters to Morocco. “The United Arab Emirates will deliver a series of Mirage 2000 Dash 9 fighters to Morocco, in the framework of friendship and military cooperation between the two sister countries” 

Mirage 2000 Dash 9 fighters are the most powerful version of the Mirage aircraft. Also, it is a special version only for the United Arab Emirates. It is still very powerful, and it has very advanced military technology, with a multimodal RDY-2 radar, a digital terrain tracking camera, an IMEWS countermeasures system with a Thomrad secure radio system with advanced cryptography and frequency hopping, LCD display screens and a digital recording system for four simultaneous displays, night vision goggles ( NVG) and an inertial gyroscope of the laser navigation system. This version of Mirage allows the simultaneous use of MICA IR and EM BVR anti-aircraft missiles, which is capable of attacking at distances of 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers). It is equipped with a type II core system architecture, like a next-generation aircraft. A whole tactical electronic warfare system through the adoption of interferometry technology. 

Military cooperation between the two countries is governed by a 2006 agreement with mixed military meetings held alternately in Rabat and Abu Dhabi. In the first quarter of this year, an Emirati military delegation headed by the Major General and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Emiratis met with the heads of the Moroccan Armed Forces and the Royal Air Force in Rabat. For its part, a high-level delegation from the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces and the Moroccan Defense Administration participated in the two Defense exhibitions this year in Emirates, They also allow participating countries to close contracts with large international companies specialized in Defense. Behind this transfer of arms there is a political background of mutual support. It must be taken into account that the United Arab Emirates leans towards Morocco in reference to the conflict it maintains with the Polisario Front, and in its intention to implement an autonomy plan that annexes Western Sahara as the southern provinces. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the first Arab country to open a consulate in Laayoune, the capital of Western Sahara. Action thanked King Mohamed VI, which he considered political in nature and not only merely consular, with hardly any Emirati citizens in the non-autonomous territory. Although it always made it a condition that Morocco reestablish relations with Israel, as it finally did a month later, in December 2020. Morocco has been working on rearmament since breaking diplomatic relations with Algeria and tensions with Spain. Tension in North Africa in the wake of the rift between the threeo countries has escalated significantly in the last three months. 

Authority over Western Sahara was the main trigger for ties that were key, especially gas supplies for countries such as Spain. The arms race between Rabat and Algiers is now experiencing a new chapter with the dispatch of a military fleet by the United Arab Emirates to the Alawi kingdom. new.in-24.com militarywatchmagazine moroccolatestnews El Español

Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000H upgrade programme delayed

The contract for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s was signed in 2011. Sources say only about 50% upgrade has been completed & the programme will take another 2-3 years to finish. The nearly USD 2.5 billion plan to upgrade India’s Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft by the end of 2021 is set to miss the deadline, with only half of them having completed the process till now. 

The mega contract for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s, which were used during the Balakot air strikes, was signed in 2011, and the idea was to bring the aircraft, bought between 1982-1985, up to date and give them better firepower, new sensors, latest electronic warfare systems and a life-extension. As part of the plan, Dassault Aviation, the original French manufacturer of the Mirage, was to upgrade two aircraft in France and then two more in India, at the Bengaluru facility of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The rest were to be upgraded by the HAL under transfer of technology. The upgrade includes a new mission computer with higher memory, new radar, advanced navigation and electronic warfare systems, advanced communication and identification systems. 

The upgraded aircraft are also supposed to undergo a massive upgrade of the cockpit, with two lateral displays, glass cockpits, and helmet-mounted displays. As of today, only about 50 per cent of the upgrades have been completed, sources in the defence and security establishment said, adding that the programme will take another 2-3 years to finish. According to the plan, the first 16 aircraft, including the four manufactured by Dassault Aviation with help from Thales, were to be delivered with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) status. The remaining 35 were to come with Final Operational Clearance (FOC) status. HAL sources said a fatal accident in February 2019 involving an upgraded Mirage during a test flight, and the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic led to the delay. 

The sources added the IAF delayed the delivery of overhauled engines and certain other systems, contributing to the delay. The IAF, meanwhile, says there were issues with the FOC variant, as they were not fully satisfied with certain integration of new systems. Incidentally, the maiden flight of the first upgraded Mirage 2000 was completed successfully by Dassault Aviation on 5 October 2013, following a two-year development phase. This phase included integration of new systems provided by Thales, including the radar, the electronic warfare suite and the mission computer. The IAF had formally accepted the first two upgraded Mirage 2000 I/TI in 2015. 

theprint

French Mirage 2000s carried out air strikes in Burkina Faso

A la demande des autorités militaires burkinabè, la force Barkhane est immédiatement intervenue.
Un drone Reaper a été dirigé vers la zone tandis que deux Mirage 2000 et un avion ravitailleur C135 ont décollé sous très faible préavis de la base aérienne projetée de Niamey pour rallier la zone de l’attaque. Une colonne de plusieurs motos quittant la zone en direction du nord a été détectée par le drone Reaper. Après avoir observé le comportement du groupe et levé le doute sur la nature terroriste de celui-ci, une frappe aérienne a été réalisée dans la nuit par les deux Mirage 2000. Le bilan de l’action est en cours d’évaluation.
defense.gouv.fr

France to provide Two Second Hand Mirage 2000 aircraft to Indian Air Force

Seeking to bolster its Mirage-2000 fighter jet fleet, India is getting two of these at a dirt-cheap price of Rs 16 crore per aircraft from France. The two aircraft would be later upgraded to the highest standards by the HAL.
The French are offering the planes at Euro 2 million per aircraft and the cost of transporting the planes to India would be around Euro one million. So, at Euro five million (approx Rs 40 crore), India will get two aircraft with a life of 3,000 hours left in them.
The aircraft would also help in utilising the upgrade kits that had been ordered during the Mirage 2000 upgrade contract with France. India had a fleet of 51 Mirages but the number came down to 49 after the loss of two planes in quick succession around 2012-13.
The two Mirages coming from France would help in making up the fleet strength back to 51.
India is also getting a fleet of 32 Jaguar aircraft, which are supposed to be used as spares to support the current fleet of Jaguar fighters operated by India. The 100 Jaguar aircraft strong fleet would also help in maintaining force levels and combat the delay in procuring jets beyond the 4 plus generation fighter aircraft such as Rafale due to the Congress government impeding the decision-making.
mynation

Portugal to lead, France and Spain to augment NATO Air Policing in Baltics

The 47th rotation of NATO fighter jets safeguarding the Baltic Allies airspace will be led by Portugal while France and Spain - within the framework of enhanced Air Policing - will be augmenting the mission from May 2018 on.
The Portuguese Air Force will deploy four F-16M fighter jets from Air Base No 5 Monte Real to Šiauliai, Lithuania, for the fourth time to provide Air Policing capabilities to safeguard the skies over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The 90-strong detachment of pilots, ground crews and support personnel will take over the lead of NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Policing mission from Denmark on May 2 during a ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base.
French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 fighters and Spanish Eurofighter jets will augment the peacetime mission of Air Policing in the Baltics that started with the accession Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to NATO in 2004.
The French detachment will be based at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, and bring four Mirage 2000-5 from 01.002 wing "Cigognes” and approx. 100 personnel from their home base at Luxeuil in the east of France. This is the seventh time French fighters conduct the NATO mission in the Baltics.
The Spanish Eurofighter detachment comprised of six jets and approx. 130 personnel from 11th Wing at Morón Air Base will be deployed at Šiauliai, too. Spain led the BAP mission in 2006 and 2016 and augmented it out of Ämari in 2015 and 2017, making this the fifth tour to the Baltics.
nato

United Arab Emirates To Upgrade Mirage 2000-9 Fleet

Dassault confirmed that the UAE's armed forces "have announced their intention to sign a contract for the upgrade of their Mirage 2000-9 fleet."
The company declines to provide further information, but says it "welcomes this decision, and is grateful to the UAE authorities for their trust". It also points to the single-engined fighter's "high-quality participation in international coalition operations".
“The Mirage 2000-9 has proven through time it is one of the best aircraft there is in the operational field," the UAE defence ministry tells FlightGlobal. "The upgrade is to fulfill mission needs and requirements, which have changed based on what is going on in the [Middle East] area. It requires new technologies to be able to operate the aircraft.”
Avionics supplier Thales stands to benefit from the prospective contract, having supplied equipment including the Mirage 2000-9's radar, mission computer, electronic warfare systems, cockpit displays and helmet-mounted cueing technology.
The UAE air force has an active fleet of 55 Mirage 2000-9s, including 14 trainers, plus 10 earlier-generation Mirage 2000s. The assets are aged between 13 and 28 years.

France withdraws Mirage 2000Ds from Niger

France has withdrawn its two Dassault Mirage 2000D fighters from Niamey that had been supporting Operation 'Barkhane', France's anti-insurgency campaign in the Sahara-Sahel region of Africa.
The aircraft had been deployed in Niger from April 2014, after it was deemed necessary to base some strike assets closer to Mali than France's air base at N'Djamena in Chad. However, on 18 February they were withdrawn to allow their reassignment to Jordan to support France's efforts against the Islamic State.
janes

France approves Mirage 2000D upgrade

The French Air Force's Mirage 2000D multirole fighter aircraft have been approved to receive a mid-life update (MLU), a move long awaited by the service.
Proposals for an MLU for the aircraft have been recommended since 2008, but repeatedly deferred as a cost-saving measure.
Although yet to be announced by the French Ministry of Defence, approval for the MLU was granted on 3 December. In total, 55 aircraft will be modernised and will soldier on until at least 2030. The first aircraft to go through the MLU process should be delivered in 2019.
The Mirage 2000D entered service in 1993 France purchased a total of 86. About 60 of these remain in service today and the 2000D community is heavily committed on overseas operations.
The Mirage's modernisation is seen as an absolute necessity for the French Air Force. The service will be struggling to maintain a total fleet of 185 combat aircraft (225 in total for France, including 40 Navy's Rafales) in the years to come, with Rafale production for France now on standby and assets increasingly committed to training Rafale export clients.
janes

France 'may extend airstrikes on Isil to Syria'

President Francois Hollande is studying the possibility of sending French warplanes to attack Isil in Syria.
France was the first country to join the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes on Isil targets in Iraq and has supplied weapons to what it considers moderate rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
But it has so far ruled out bombing the terror group’s bases in Syria out of fear that this might benefit the Assad regime.
telegraph

Taiwan Launches Ambitious Plans For New Weapons In All Fronts, Cleared to Buy C-27J

China's steady acquisition of advanced weaponry has driven ambitious Taiwanese requirements, including plans to procure stealth fighters, advanced jet trainers, long-range unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and main battle tanks.
Some requirements are awaiting sale notification to the US Congress or are still working through the Ministry of National Defense's internal programming process. Those include:
• MH-60R naval helicopters.
• Aircraft-deployed mines, such as the Quickstrike series.
• Shipboard electronic warfare system upgrades, such as the SLQ-32.
• Phalanx close-in weapon systems.
• Tactical datalink systems as part of a follow-on to the Po Sheng C4ISR upgrade program, now more commonly referred to as "Shyun An" or "Xun An."

Among the Chinese programs spurring Taiwan's response are Su-35 fighter aircraft and long-range S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. Chinese efforts in the South China Sea have also driven requirements for more ships and submarines, though these will be largely indigenous build programs.
Defense sources indicate Taiwan is interested in acquiring an additional AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, presumably as replacement for the unit lost in a training accident in 2014.
Taiwan needs to start replacing its fighter trainers in the next few years, but the Air Force has not announced a selection process for new trainers to replace aging F-5 fighters and AT-3 attack trainers, though plans for a tentative budget have been announced by Air Force officials for 2017.
The Air Force uses its F-5E/F fighters and AT-3 jet trainers for training before moving forward to one of three fighters: F-16A/Bs, Mirage 2000-5s or indigenous defense fighters.
The Air Force has said it wants to procure 68 advanced jet trainers for advanced training, lead-in and operations transitioning training, Shih said.
At present, there are three candidates: the US Air Force's T-X program, which is still under development; the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master; and the T-50 Golden Eagle built by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin.
Taiwan's Air Force also has a requirement to replace aging single-engine propeller-driven Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor trainers procured from the US in the 1980s. The T-34 squadron has suffered numerous fatal accidents over the past several years. The Beechcraft AT-6 is the most likely candidate.
Taiwan also has been pursuing a procurement for six C­27J Spartan medium-transport aircraft, along with an indigenous training and maintenance package, to replace the Air Force's Fokker 50 VIP aircraft. The US government has released the C-27J for Taiwan, but the Air Force is awaiting financing, which has been hampered by the cost of recent upgrades to its indigenous defense fighters and upcoming upgrades to its F-16A/B fighter fleet.
defensenews

Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 Lands at Highway during an Exercise

The Indian Air Force has been considering the use of national highways for emergency landing by fighter aircraft.
This capability was demonstrated by IAF on May 21, 2015 by a Mirage-2000 aircraft which got airborne from one of the IAF bases in Central India. All facilities like make shift Air Traffic Control, safety services, rescue vehicles, bird clearance parties and other requirements were set up by IAF personnel from Air Force Station Agra. The aircraft made a practice approach on the highway, coming down to a height of 100 mtrs before landing off the next approach.
The IAF has plans to activate more such stretches on highways in the future.
pib.nic.in

French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Bound for India After Two Months of Strikes Against ISIS

French carrier Charles de Gaulle has left the Persian Gulf after about two months of strike operations against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL).
The nuclear carrier is now bound for India for exercises with the Indian military.
In its time in the region, the carrier launched an average of 10 to 15 sorties a day with its compliment of about 20 strike aircraft — a mix of Dassault Rafale M aircraft and Dassault Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM).
The strike missions were in support of the U.S. led Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) missions against ISIS.
The departure of the carrier “brings France’s contribution to the anti-Isis air effort down to six Rafales based in the UAE and six Dassault Mirage 2000 in Jordan.
usni

UAE Restarts Rafale Talks With France

The United Arab Emirates has restarted talks on ordering the Dassault Rafale.
France has been in talks for more than five years on a sale of 60 Rafales, with the UAE requiring a more capable fighter with an extensive weapons suite. The Rafale would replace the fleet of Mirage 2000-9s.
The fresh talks are looking at requirements rather than reviving discussions for 60 Rafales and it is too early to say how many aircraft would be purchased for how much.
The UAE is seen a potential buyer after Egypt sealed a deal for 24 Rafales and India announced a plan to order 36 off the assembly line in France.
The UAE is in talks with the US to order 30 Block 61 Lockheed Martin F-16s, which would add to the 80-strong fleet of Block 60 fighters.
Abu Dhabi had agreed with then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy to consider the Rafale as a replacement to the fleet of Mirage 2000-9s bought in 1998.
Fabius said there are also discussions on the Rafale with Qatar.
defensenews

Croatia Unveils Plans to Acquire New Fighter Jets To Replace MiG-21s

The Croatian government has unveiled plans to acquire new fighter jets with the aim of replacing its Soviet-designed Mikoyan MiG-21s.
The two leading contenders for the designed deal are the F-16 JAS-39 Gripen, with Zagreb planning to buy aircraft that are either new or currently used by other NATO member states, local newspaper Jutarnji first reported. Alternatives considered included France's Mirage, Israeli Kfir and a version of South Korea's T-50.
The Croatian government is reportedly aiming to replace its Soviet-designed fighter jets with Western-made aircraft as part of the country's ongoing efforts to modernize its Air Force's fleet and eliminate weapons and military equipment used by Russia and its allies.
Currently, the Croatian Air Force has a total of 12 MiG-21bisD/UMD aircraft in its fleet.
The new fighter jet for the country's armed forces is to be selected by the end of this year.
The amount of the planned procurement, as well as the estimated worth of the acquisition, was not disclosed by the Croatian authorities.
defensenews

Operation Decisive Storm-Air Power Over Yemen

After Houthi rebels toppled the Yemeni government causing president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee to Aden earlier this month, a Saudi-led coalition of Middle Eastern states launched an air campaign to intervene.
Operation Decisive Storm began on March 26 and has resulted in one of the most extraordinary gatherings of air power seen in recent years, with air arms from the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, except Oman, joined by aircraft from Morocco, Egypt and Sudan, as well as Jordan.
The numbers of aircraft involved are quite extraordinary but perhaps illustrate the concern that Saudi Arabia and its neighbors have for the spread of the Houthi insurgency in the south of the Arabia peninsula.
Saudi Arabia is supporting the operation with 100 aircraft that are likely to include fighters and support aircraft.
Bahrain has deployed between eight and 12 of its F-16s, Qatar has sent 10 of its 12 Mirage 2000s. The United Arab Emirates has deployed 30 aircraft, while Morocco and Jordan have each deployed six F-16s. Jordan’s participation is particularly noteworthy given its heavy involvement in operations against the Islamic State insurgency in Iraq and Syria. Reports state that Kuwait has sent 15 F/A-18 Hornets.
Egypt’s aerial contribution is unclear, but its neighbor Sudan is perhaps the most surprising of the participants, bringing a trio of Sukhoi Su-24 Fencers.
How big a role the Su-24s will play remains to be determined, particularly as the aircraft are not compatible with Western weapons stockpiled at Saudi air bases, forcing the Sudanese to transport bombs and missiles to Saudi Arabia where the aircraft have been forward-based for the campaign.
Pakistan says it is examining a request from Riyadh to join the coalition.
aviationweek

Dassault Says Work on India Rafale Sale 95% Done

The deal to purchase 126 Rafales is now "95 percent completed," with the French company working with the Indian authorities to review thousands of contract pages.
India is Dassault Aviation's first export client.
Dassault sees Indian work on the Mirage as helping prepare the ground for the proposed local assembly of Rafales. The Indian partner, HAL, will continue the modernization contract for the remaining 49 Mirages.
HAL would be the local co-contractor for assembling the Rafale.
defensenews