France deploys Rafale jets to UAE to protect military bases Amid Mideast escalation

France has deployed Rafale fighter jets to the airspace of the United Arab Emirates to protect its military bases, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on March 3.

“They conducted airspace security operations over our bases,” Barrot told BFMTV, part of the CNN network.

He did not specify the missions of the aircraft or whether they were involved in intercepting drones or missiles that could threaten the bases.

France has criticised the US and Israeli strikes on Iran. President Emmanuel Macron stated that the operation was conducted “in violation of international law, and we cannot approve it.”

However, as the conflict rapidly spreads across the Middle East, France has sent additional military forces to the Mediterranean, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escorting frigates.

By Khagan Isayev