France to Sell Jet Fighters to U.A.E. as Gulf Nation Awaits U.S. Purchase

France agreed to provide $19 billion of navy aircraft to the United Arab Emirates, including jet fighters, even though the U.S. Gulf ally’s burgeoning stability ties with China impede its order of advanced American combat jets.

The deal, for 80 French-made Rafale F4 jet fighters and 12 Airbus Caracal overcome helicopters, was unveiled on Friday all through French President Emmanuel Macron’s go to with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the U.A.E.’s de facto ruler. The fighters include state-of-the-art radar, concentrating on and weapons units.