The United States has also agreed to send fifth-generation warships and fighters to better protect Emirates.
Reuters
France said on Friday that it had agreed to participate in strengthening the United Arab Emirates’ defense system, including the deployment of Rafale aircraft, following the Houthi attacks.
“The United Arab Emirates were the victims of serious attacks on their territory in January. In order to show our solidarity with this friendly country, France has decided to provide military support, in particular to protect the airspace against any intrusion”, declared the Minister of the Armed Forces. Florence Parly wrote on Twitter.
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces added that operations will be carried out from Al Dhafra air base, in close coordination with the Emirates, with a view to detecting and intercepting any drone or missile attack.
The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday evening it intercepted three drones that entered its airspace over uninhabited areas earlier in the day, in the latest attack on the commercial and tourist hub in recent weeks.
Earlier this week, the United States also said it would send a warship and fighter jets to help the United Arab Emirates.
The deployment, to “assist the UAE against the current threat”, follows a phone call between His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had said the US Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.
As part of the arrangements, the USS Cole guided-missile destroyer will partner with the United Arab Emirates Navy, while the United States will also deploy fifth-generation fighter jets.
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Other actions include “continuing to provide early warning intelligence (and) collaborating on air defense,” the embassy said.
The United States intends the deployment to be “a clear signal that the United States stands with the United Arab Emirates as a long-time strategic partner,” the embassy said.
The United Arab Emirates has called on Biden to relabel the Houthis as a terrorist organization.
