Team Blitz India
France has recently greenlit the transfer of 30 Mirage 2009-E aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Morocco, a strategic manoeuvre aimed at bolstering Morocco’s air defence capabilities. This significant decision is part of a broader cooperation agreement, as revealed by reports in Spanish media, where Abu Dhabi is set to procure 80 Rafale jets.
However, this transfer was not without its hurdles. Initially met with staunch opposition from France, the process faced a three-year suspension before ultimately gaining approval from Paris. Initially, Abu Dhabi was constrained to transfer the aircraft only after securing approval from the manufacturer.
Aant of the Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2, made its debut order from the UAE, positioning the nation as the aircraft’s maiden customer. The UAE’s order included 32 freshly constructed aircraft, comprising 20 single-seater Mirage 2000-9s and 12 two-seater Mirage 2000-9Ds.
The authorisation for the transfer was granted following discussions between the foreign affairs ministers of Morocco and France.
Reports indicate that Paris’s initial reluctance to approve the transfer was fuelled by its interest in repurchasing the 40 Emirati Mirage 2000-9 aircraft and redirecting them to Ukraine to bolster its efforts in the conflict against Russia. In contrast, the UAE expressed its preference to relinquish 69 aircraft, with 30 of them earmarked for Morocco and the remaining 39 for Egypt.
The Mirage 2009-E fighter jet serves as the newest addition to Morocco’s burgeoning arsenal, reflecting the nation’s concerted efforts to fortify its air defence capabilities, notably through the expansion of its drone inventory.
As reported by Military Africa, a respected defence-focused platform, Morocco showcases a formidable drone fleet, totalling 233 drones. As of 2024, Morocco holds the second position in Africa in terms of drone inventory, following Egypt, which boasts over 260 drones
