UAE Freezes Mirage 2000-9 Delivery to Morocco Amid Regional Tensions
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has indefinitely halted the planned delivery of 30 Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets to Morocco, as reported by the French publication "Africa Intelligence" citing government sources. Initially scheduled to be transferred in the coming years, this decision has been influenced by the UAE's ongoing military needs, particularly in light of the pressures on their air defense systems due to the conflict in Iran.
Amid an escalating regional situation, the UAE has decided to keep the Mirage jets for its own use rather than proceed with the transfer to Morocco. The UAE had aimed to gradually phase out its Mirage 2000 fleet through a significant investment in Rafale fighter jets, with an order of 80 Rafale F4 units placed with Dassault. The first dual-seat variant designated for the UAE is expected to be completed by January 2025.
Morocco was set to acquire approximately half of the UAE's older Mirage fleet, with the transfer expected to begin around 2027. This agreement was based on a concrete arrangement brokered by France in 2024. However, the timeline for when the 30 Mirage jets will eventually be delivered to Morocco remains uncertain.
The Mirage 2000-9E is a single-seat multirole variant specifically developed for the UAE as an enhancement of the Mirage 2000-5. Through modernization contracts with Dassault, Thales, and MBDA, the platform has undergone significant upgrades over the years.
Morocco has been modernizing its air forces for years, influenced by a simmering conflict with Algeria, which is also procuring advanced fighter jets, notably from Russia. Algeria has already received Sukhoi Su-57 aircraft, and a shepherd recently filmed the Russian stealth jet in flight. Additionally, the Algerian airbase at Oum El Bouaghi is home to a fleet of Su-30MKA jets, also acquired from Russia, with over 70 units currently in operation.
Looking ahead, Morocco is expected to receive new F-16 Block 70/72 jets from Lockheed Martin in 2027, and plans are in place to upgrade its existing F-16C/D models to the newer standards.
As reported by flugrevue.de.
