France and the United Arab Emirates have exchanged a strategic defence partnership framework and defence-industry arrangements in Abu Dhabi. Their new cooperation also covers the Rafale F5 programme. The agreements set out an industrial agenda intended to strengthen autonomy and interoperability; they do not announce delivery of a new fleet.
France and the United Arab Emirates exchanged a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework in Abu Dhabi on 20 October. Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the ceremony. The framework was exchanged by Emirati Minister of State for Defence Affairs Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.[1], [2]
The presidents also witnessed defence-industry implementing arrangements. These were exchanged by Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, secretary general of the Emirati defence-industry body Tawazun Council, and French armaments delegate Patrick Pailloux. The new intergovernmental cooperation also covers the F5 standard of the Rafale combat aircraft programme, with technical and financial specifications for future combat-aviation cooperation.[1]
The stated objectives include strategic autonomy, reduced dependence on third countries, interoperability and industrial resilience. Macron also visited a site operated by Edge, the Emirati defence group founded in 2019, whose companies work on weapons, cyber protection and electronic warfare. No new aircraft quantity or delivery of an operational F5 fleet was announced with the agreements.[1]
