Julian Moxon/Paris
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to procure 30 Dassault Mirage 2000-9s and associated weapons, as well as an upgrade package for the air force's Mirage 2000s.
The deal, worth between Fr17 billion ($2.9 billion) and Fr20 billion, includes conversion of the UAE's 33 existing Mirage 2000s to the -9 standard.
The Mirage 2000-9 will have an air-to-air and air-to-surface capability, with GEC-Marconi Hakim precision-guided munitions being fitted in the latter role. The aircraft will also have radar-warning receivers from Italy's Elettronica.
The aircraft is otherwise very similar to the Mirage 2000-5s sold to Taiwan and Qatar, the latter recently taking delivery of the first of 12 Mirage 2000-5s.
The upgrade will provide the UAE with active radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles in the shape of Matra BAe Dynamics Mica RFs. The improved Matra BAe Dynamics Magic 2 and the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile are under consideration for the short-range AAM role.
The UAE is still determining which combat aircraft is to be purchased to meet its long-range strike requirement. Dassault has been pushing the Rafale, while Lockheed Martin is proposing an upgraded F-16, the so-called Block 60, while British Aerospace champions the Eurofighter EF2000.
Lockheed Martin had at one point offered to meet the fighter requirement with F-16C/Ds while meeting the strike aircraft requirement with the Block 60.
Although France has traditionally been a major source of defence material for the UAE, some observers believe that the Mirage 2000-9 purchase is indicative that Rafale may not be selected to meet the strike aircraft requirement.
France needs a success on the export market to kick-start the production phase of the programme. The in-service date for the first of 234 French air force Rafales has slipped to the end of 2005.
Source: Flight International
