The UAE will arm French Rafale F4 fighters with a family of 120-500kg Al Tariq precision-guided bombs

The United Arab Emirates intends to arm the fourth-generation Rafale F4 fighter jets with locally produced bombs. This was announced by the state conglomerate EDGE GROUP, which includes 25 defence companies.

Here's What We Know

The UAE acquired the French fourth-generation aircraft in 2021. The first Rafale F4 will be delivered a few years later. However, EDGE GROUP has already announced plans to integrate the Al Tariq family of precision-guided aerial bombs.

The company intends to complete all work before the first Rafale F4 arrives in the country. It also hopes that Dassault Aviation will authorise other fighter aircraft operators to use Emirati weapons.

The Rafale F4 will receive Al Tariq bombs, which are based on the Mk81, Mk82 and Mk83. They have weights of 120kg, 250kg and 500kg respectively. The bombs allow to hit ground targets with exceptional accuracy. They can now be used by the Mirage 2000-9 and the F-16E/F Fighting Falcon.

The UAE ordered 80 French fighter jets in early December 2021. The deal was worth $19bn. At the Dubai Air Show 2023, an EDGE GROUP spokesman said deliveries would begin in 2027, but at the signing of the contract it was said the aircraft would be delivered to the customer from 2026 to 2031.

Source: Breaking Defence