By Boyko Nikolov
The United Arab Emirates has finalized details of a significant arms package accompanying its acquisition of French Rafale F4 fighter jets, with the weaponry specifics now coming to light.
According to sources familiar with the deal, the missile package includes 300 long-range Meteor missiles, boasting a range exceeding 100 kilometers and enhanced air superiority capabilities, some of which will be produced locally in partnership with European missile manufacturer MBDA.
Additionally, the agreement encompasses 600 Mica-NG medium- and short-range missiles, equipped with active radar or infrared guidance, set to be entirely manufactured in the UAE. For air-to-ground operations, the deal features the Storm Shadow [SCALP-EG], a long-range cruise missile with a reach of 290 to 560 kilometers, designed for striking strategic targets and produced in France.
The package also includes AASM “Hammer” smart bombs, guided by GPS/INS and laser systems, which will be locally produced through a Franco-Emirati collaboration. Rounding out the arsenal are Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles, precision weapons aimed at maritime targets, to be fully manufactured in France.
Initial production of all missiles will occur at MBDA facilities in France, with subsequent local assembly of Meteor, Mica-NG, and AASM munitions in the UAE through a joint engineering center established with French partners.
The Meteor missile stands out as a cornerstone of this arms package, reflecting advanced engineering tailored for modern aerial combat. Developed by MBDA, a consortium involving France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and other European nations, the Meteor is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile [BVRAAM] powered by a ramjet engine.
This propulsion system allows it to maintain high speed throughout its flight, giving it a significant edge over traditional rocket-powered missiles. Its range, exceeding 100 kilometers, enables pilots to engage targets at standoff distances, reducing exposure to enemy countermeasures. The missile’s active radar seeker, combined with a datalink for mid-course updates, enhances its accuracy against agile or stealthy adversaries.
Variants of the Meteor are designed to integrate seamlessly with advanced fighters like the Rafale F4, leveraging the jet’s sophisticated sensors and networking capabilities. In the UAE’s case, local production will involve collaboration with MBDA to adapt manufacturing processes, ensuring compatibility with the Emirati Air Force’s operational needs.
This missile’s no-escape zone—where targets have little chance of evading impact—is reportedly one of the largest among its peers, making it a formidable tool for establishing air dominance.
The broader context of this arms acquisition traces back to December 2021, when the UAE signed a landmark deal with France to purchase 80 Rafale F4.2 fighter jets for approximately 16 billion euros, with an additional 2 billion euros allocated for the weapons package.
Announced during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to the Gulf state, the agreement marked one of the largest defense contracts in French history and underscored deepening ties between Paris and Abu Dhabi. The Rafale, built by Dassault Aviation, is a multirole fighter capable of conducting air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions.
The F4.2 variant, tailored for the UAE, incorporates upgrades such as improved radar, enhanced electronic warfare systems, and compatibility with the latest munitions, including those now detailed in the missile package. Deliveries of the jets are scheduled to begin in 2027, with the UAE aiming to phase out its aging fleet of Mirage 2000 aircraft, also of French origin, acquired in the 1980s.
The deal includes training for Emirati pilots and technicians, as well as logistical support, ensuring a smooth transition to the new platform. Local production of certain missiles and munitions further aligns with the UAE’s push for defense self-reliance, a strategic priority amid regional uncertainties.
The Storm Shadow missile adds a deep-strike capability, allowing the UAE to target hardened infrastructure or command centers far beyond its borders, while the Exocet AM39 strengthens its maritime defense posture in the Persian Gulf, a vital artery for global oil trade. Analysts note that the AASM “Hammer” bombs, with their modular guidance systems, provide flexibility for both tactical and strategic missions, from close air support to precision strikes on high-value targets.
“The combination of these systems gives the UAE a layered, all-weather strike capability that few regional players can match,” said a Gulf-based defense consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic. The local production aspect also promises economic benefits, creating jobs and fostering technological expertise within the UAE’s burgeoning defense sector.
For the region, this deal reinforces the UAE’s role as a key security partner for Western allies, particularly France, while amplifying its influence in a volatile geopolitical landscape marked by rivalries with Iran and proxy conflicts in Yemen and elsewhere.
The Rafale purchase can also be viewed through the lens of earlier U.S.-UAE defense negotiations, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency. In late 2020, the Trump administration approved a $23 billion arms package for the UAE, including up to 50 F-35 stealth fighters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and advanced munitions. The deal, greenlit after the UAE normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, aimed to reward Abu Dhabi while countering Iran.
However, when President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, his administration paused the sale for review, citing concerns over technology transfers and regional stability. Despite eventual approval in April 2021, negotiations stalled over the UAE’s demands for fewer restrictions on F-35 use and frustration with U.S. conditions tied to 5G technology from China’s Huawei, a sticking point in bilateral ties.
By late 2021, the UAE signaled it was exploring alternatives, culminating in the Rafale deal with France. Some analysts suggest the shift reflects impatience with U.S. bureaucracy and a strategic pivot to diversify suppliers. “The Rafale deal isn’t necessarily a direct rebuke to Biden, but it shows the UAE won’t wait indefinitely,” said a former U.S. defense official familiar with Gulf affairs. Others argue the two platforms serve different purposes, with the Rafale offering immediate availability and fewer operational constraints compared to the F-35’s complex integration requirements.
For the UAE, the Rafale F4 and its accompanying arsenal mark a leap forward in deterrence and power projection, aligning with its ambitions to secure its airspace and maritime interests amid rising tensions. The inclusion of local production further underscores a long-term vision of autonomy, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains over time.
As the UAE prepares to integrate these jets and weapons into its arsenal, the final pieces of the deal are falling into place. The joint engineering center for missile production is expected to begin operations within the next few years, with initial batches of Meteor, Mica-NG, and AASM munitions rolling off French lines before transitioning to Emirati facilities.
Training programs for aircrews and maintenance teams are already underway, ensuring readiness by the 2027 delivery timeline. The UAE’s investment reflects a calculated response to a shifting regional security environment, where technological superiority and rapid response capabilities are increasingly vital. Whether this acquisition alters the balance of power in the Middle East remains to be seen, but it undeniably elevates the UAE’s military stature on both a regional and global stage.
