France has launched its new variant of Rafale fighter jet, F-4. India’s close ally the United Arab Emirates will be its first customer. The French aviation company said in a released statement that a trial of Rafale F-4 will be conducted soon at Dassault Aviation test Centre and it will start delivering the fighter jets to the UAE by the end of 2026. Dassault aviation has shared the first look of the fighter jet in a social media post on X. 

The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with the French company to procure 80 Rafale F-4 fighter jets. During a ceremony, the fighter jets were showcased at Istres-Le Tubé Air Base.

“This first F4 Rafale for the UAE, produced in line with the contract schedule, will remain at Dassault Aviation’s Flight Test Center to perform flight tests in view of the first deliveries to the UAE Air Force & Air Defence which are scheduled at the end of 2026,” Dassault Aviation wrote on X.

Where the senior officials of both countries were present. After the French Air Force, UAE will become the second country to have Rafale F-4 fighter jets. The UAE had signed the agreement for 80 Rafale fighter jets in 2021. 

The UAE will get the F-4 variant while India has procured F-3 variant of Rafale jets in 2020. Dassault aviation had manufactured the fighter jets with 13 upgrades which was India’s requirement and it was an advanced version of the original F-3 variant. 

The F-3 Rafale fighter jet which India had purchased was equipped with Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM) which can operate in all weather conditions. The jets are smart air-to-surface stand-off weapons developed by Safran Electronics & Defense. The jets have capabilities to hit the target at the distance of over 70 kilometres. 

The UAE will receive an upgraded variant of Rafale fighter jets. The F-4 Rafale jets will have upgraded features like Thales software-defined radio, satellite communication and RBE2, AESA, TALIOS targeting pod and Front Sector Optronic System.