Paris - The United Arab Emirates has ordered 17 anti-aircraft radar systems from the French firm Thales for around 300-million euros, France's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
The deal, clinched during a visit by French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, came a day after the UAE signed an agreement worth more than 700-million euros for two French military surveillance satellites.
The crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, “gave his green light to Mr Le Drian for the purchase of 17 Thales GM200 radars”, a ministry spokesman said.
Le Drian has made re-establishing trade ties with the UAE - a traditional customer for the French arms industry - a priority, holding several meetings with top officials.
Before the two deals in two days, the last significant military orders received by France from the UAE dated back to 2007. - Sapa-AFP