France has deployed Rafale fighter jets over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to safeguard its military facilities amid rising tensions in the Gulf region, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Barrot, the French aircraft and their crews have been mobilised to secure the country’s naval and air installations in the UAE following recent hostilities involving Iran. France maintains a significant military presence in the Emirates, with hundreds of personnel from its navy, air force and army stationed there. The Rafale jets are based at Al Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi.
“These Rafales and their pilots are mobilised to ensure the security of our facilities,” Barrot said in a televised interview, noting that the aircraft had already conducted operations to protect the airspace above French bases.
His remarks come after a weekend of heightened military activity in the region. On Sunday, a drone struck a hangar at a French military base in the UAE, according to the minister. While the extent of the damage was not detailed, the incident underscores the growing security concerns facing foreign military installations in the Gulf.
Barrot added that discussions are ongoing regarding how the UAE can strengthen its defence against further attacks and how France can better protect its strategic interests in the region.
Despite speculation, France’s aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, has not been redeployed to the Mediterranean. Barrot clarified that the vessel remains in the North Atlantic as part of a previously scheduled multinational exercise and, to his knowledge, has not altered its course.
READ ALSO: Storm Nils Knocks Out Power To 450,000 Homes, Kills One In France
The developments follow a dramatic escalation in the Middle East. The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran over the weekend, reportedly killing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has targeted American allies in the Gulf, widening fears of a broader regional conflict.
The UAE has experienced several drone-related incidents in recent days. Authorities in Fujairah reported that debris from a drone interception sparked a fire in an oil industry zone on Tuesday, though the blaze was quickly contained. A day earlier in Abu Dhabi, a drone struck a fuel tank terminal, causing a fire that did not disrupt operations.
The impact has extended beyond military and energy infrastructure. Technology company Amazon disclosed that two of its UAE-based data centres were directly hit by drones, leading to temporary disruptions in cloud services across parts of the Middle East.
As tensions mount, France’s decision to reinforce its aerial presence signals a commitment to protecting its personnel and assets abroad, while highlighting the fragile security landscape in the Gulf.