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The United Arab Emirates and Dassault Aviation have signed the formal contract for the supply of 30 MIRAGE 2000-9 multi-role fighter/bombers, plus the conversion of 33 MIRAGE 2000EAD/DADs in UAE Air Force service to the 20009 configuration. The deal, which had been announced in principle about one year ago during the official visit to the UAE by President Chirac in December 1997, has a total value of some FF19 billion (US$3.2 billion), including significant shares for Thomson-CSF (some FF3 billion) and SNECMA (FF1-1.2 billion). Deliveries are expected to start three years after completion of the validation phase of the MIRAGE 2000-9 configuration, with the construction of new aircraft running in parallel with conversion of the existing EAD/ DADs.
In the framework of the 2000-9 deal, Matra BAe Dynamics has also been awarded a major contract for the supply of guided weapons and countermeasure systems which will equip the aircraft. Given the 2000-9's expected role in simultaneously providing both air defence and ground attack capabilities, the UAE Air Force has chosen to buy MICA EM and MICA IR air-to-air missiles and...