According to Spanish press reports, improved relations between France and Morocco have prompted Paris to agree to deliver a number of French-made Mirage fighter jets to Morocco.
Espanyol reported that the United Arab Emirates plans to deliver 30 Mirage 2000-9 fighter jets to Morocco, subject to France’s approval.
The move comes as part of a deal signed by Abu Dhabi in 2021 to purchase 80 French-made Dassault Rafale fighters, which are expected to replace the UAE’s current Mirage fleet.
According to reports, the UAE is expected to provide Mirage fighter jets to Morocco once it receives the Rafale fighters in the coming years.
Despite earlier reports that France wants to buy back Mirage to transfer it to Ukraine and use it against Russia, improved relations with Morocco have led Paris to agree to transfer it to Morocco.
In a related context, the ban on the transfer of fighter jets was lifted after a meeting between French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sigournet and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, where several issues were discussed, including the convergence of positions on the “Moroccanness of Western Sahara” and the confirmation of the transfer of the thirty “Mirage” units.
It is worth noting that diplomatic relations between France and Morocco have witnessed strong tensions in recent years, due to French President Emmanuel Macron’s quest for rapprochement with Algeria, while Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021.
In February, Paris and Rabat reiterated their intention to turn the page on diplomatic crises and move towards a renewed “exceptional” partnership based on “mutual respect.”
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