On January 8, 2025, LeDesk reported that discussions are progressing on a possible transfer of 30 Mirage 2000-9E fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Morocco, contingent upon France’s agreement. According to Emirati sources, Abu Dhabi could cede half of its Mirage 2000-9E fleet to the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) once the UAE begins receiving deliveries of Rafale F4 jets from Paris, scheduled for 2027.
Emirati sources state that the cession of 30 Mirage 2000-9E aircraft was not confirmed in April but could be endorsed soon, as the UAE’s decision depends partly on the timeline for its new fighter acquisitions.
This prospect was initially deemed unlikely four years ago, but it has gained momentum following the visit of Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to France in April 2024, along with reports mentioning King Mohammed VI’s private stay in Abu Dhabi. A three-year suspension initially delayed the Mirage sale, mostly because the original 1998 contract stipulates that any transfer of these aircraft requires French consent for re-export. The potential transfer of Emirati Mirage 2000-9 aircraft to Morocco gained additional attention when the French government reportedly explored the option of buying back some UAE Mirages to provide them to Ukraine. This requirement complicated the transaction, but the UAE’s preference leaned toward selling part of its fleet, with 30 Mirage 2000-9s intended for Morocco and a portion for Egypt. While an agreement in principle appears to exist, no official statements have confirmed the final steps, delivery schedule, or upgrade packages.
Emirati sources state that the cession of 30 Mirage 2000-9E aircraft was not confirmed in April of the previous year but could be endorsed soon, as the UAE’s decision depends partly on the timeline for its new fighter acquisitions. Abu Dhabi signed a significant contract with France in December 2021 for 80 Rafale F4 jets and 12 military helicopters, valued at about $18 billion, marking the largest international order for Rafale fighters since their introduction in 2004. With the UAE set to retire some Mirage 2000-9s in favor of the Rafale F4, several countries, including Iraq, Greece, Egypt, and Morocco, have been mentioned in discussions about receiving secondhand Mirage 2000s.