Emirati guided bombs to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet

The UAE's largest defense conglomerate plans to outfit its new Rafale F4 fighter jets with precision-guided munitions from its subsidiary, Al Tariq, marking a first for the French-made jet.

Theunis Botha, CEO of Al Tariq, a subsidiary of the Emirati military contractor EDGE, stated that their Mk81, Mk82, and Mk83 guided bombs will be integrated onto the fourth-generation Rafale fleet in the coming years, according to Breaking Defense.

This move aligns with the Emirati air force's requirement for indigenous weapons on the combat jet. Botha mentioned ongoing discussions with Dassault, the French company producing Rafale jets, hoping to secure approval for other Rafale users to incorporate Al Tariq weapons.

The UAE is poised to be the first F4 operator outside France, with deliveries expected around 2027 as part of a $19 billion deal for 80 aircraft.

In addition to the Rafale, Emirati weapons could potentially be used on other foreign jets, such as India's HAL Tejas, showcased at the recent Dubai Airshow, with hopes of securing contracts after testing.