UAE Bolsters Air Dominance with 300 METEOR BVR, STORM SHADOW for Rafale F4 Fleet

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – As part of its landmark 2021 agreement to procure 80 Rafale F4 fighter jets from France, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to receive 300 long-range METEOR air-to-air missiles, developed by European defense giant MBDA.

The acquisition of these METEOR Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles for integration with the UAE’s Rafale F4 fleet was only recently disclosed.

If confirmed, this procurement will significantly enhance the UAE Air Force’s aerial combat capabilities, equipping it with what is widely regarded as one of the most lethal air-to-air missile systems in service today.

Notably, Egypt—despite operating a fleet of more than 50 Rafale fighters—has been denied access to the METEOR missile, reportedly due to Israeli objections.

In addition to the 300 METEOR missiles, media reports indicate that the UAE Air Force will also receive 600 MICA air-to-air missiles for short- to medium-range engagements.

A substantial portion of these missiles will be locally manufactured in the UAE.

Further bolstering its strike capability, the UAE Air Force’s Rafale F4 fleet is also expected to be equipped with STORM SHADOW/SCALP EG air-launched cruise missiles, which boast a range of 500km and are designed to neutralize high-value targets.

The comprehensive weapons package for the UAE’s Rafale F4 fighters will also include AM39 EXOCET anti-ship missiles and AASM HAMMER precision-guided bombs, further expanding the aircraft’s operational versatility.

“The entire weapons package for the UAE’s Rafale F4 fleet is estimated to be worth €2 billion (RM9.56 billion),” according to reports.

The METEOR BVR air-to-air missile is widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced air-to-air weapons, surpassing the capabilities of the U.S.-developed AIM-120 AMRAAM.

Designed for radar-guided precision, the METEOR missile can reach speeds of Mach 4 and engage airborne targets at distances of up to 200km.

It is fully compatible with multiple fighter platforms, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Rafale, F-35, and South Korea’s KF-21 “Boramae.”

With an overall length of 3.65 meters, the METEOR is engineered to deliver superior long-range engagement, high kill probability, and enhanced survivability in contested airspace.

A key factor behind its exceptional performance is its propulsion system.

Unlike conventional missiles that rely on solid-fuel rocket motors, the METEOR is powered by a cutting-edge solid-fuel ramjet engine.

This propulsion technology allows the missile to sustain supersonic speeds—exceeding Mach 4—throughout its entire flight, giving it a critical advantage over traditional missiles that lose velocity as they approach their target.

In December 2021, the UAE and France signed a landmark contract for the acquisition of 80 Rafale fighter jets—marking the largest defense contract ever secured by France’s military aerospace industry and a testament to the five-decade-long partnership between the UAE Armed Forces and Dassault Aviation.

The €19 billion (RM83.4 billion) agreement represents the largest defense procurement deal in the history of France’s military aerospace sector.

The UAE has ordered the latest Rafale F4 variant, featuring state-of-the-art avionics, weapons, and combat capabilities.

In late January, Dassault Aviation publicly unveiled the UAE’s first Rafale F4 fighter jet, marking a significant milestone in the contract’s execution.

The aircraft was presented by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier in a high-profile event attended by French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu and UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs Mohamed bin Moubarak Fadhel Mazrouei.

“This aircraft will be used for initial testing before the official deliveries begin in 2027, covering the full order of 80 Rafales placed by the UAE—a testament to the excellence of our defense industry,” Lecornu stated on social media platform X.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA