As per a report available on Mondafrique, a sizeable number of the UAE’s Mirage 20009/EAD/RAD fleet will be offered to Morocco completely free of charge.
The report on Mondafrique citing a “well-informed source” said, such an agreement between the UAE and Morocco is a fact and that Morocco would acquire most of these fighters without having to pay for them.
Incidentally, currently the UAE has 59 units of the French fighter plane in its fleet.
A separate report appearing on a Spanish newspaper states, that the UAE will provide a substantial discount for the sale; the value of the transaction was not mentioned.
According to meta-Defense, a French website, Morocco is set to receive 34 Mirage 20009/EAD/RAD.
Mondafrique report notes that preparatory moves have commenced in Morocco for the acceptance of the French fighter aircraft; while training of pilots and technicians have begun, the date of the arrival of the Mirage 20009/EAD/RAD has yet to be disclosed.
“Two weeks ago, technicians were sent to the UAE for training. The delivery of the planes will take place gradually,” said a source.
Incidentally, the US F-35 is still on the table for the UAE with negotiations ongoing for its potential acquisition.
According to a report from Yousef Al-Otayba, the UAE’s ambassador to Washington has confirmed that the potential purchase of the US stealth fifth generation fighter is ongoing between the United States and the UAE.
A report from the defense website Tactical Report states, advisers from the US State Department are pushing to maintain strategic defense ties between Abu Dhabi and Washington for improved stability in the Middle East.