France and the United Arab Emirates have resumed negotiations on developing a modernized version of the Rafale fighter jet

France and the United Arab Emirates have resumed negotiations on jointly developing a modernized version of the Rafale fighter jet, Reuters reports. The talks were suspended at the beginning of the year, and their resumption marks a new development in military cooperation between the two countries.

The negotiations are taking place at a difficult time for France, which is facing mounting budgetary pressures. These financial constraints could influence the scope and pace of defense projects, including those carried out in partnership with foreign states.

The project aims to jointly develop a modernized version of the Rafale, one of the main combat systems produced by France’s defense industry. The resumption of talks indicates that Paris and Abu Dhabi are seeking to overcome the deadlock that emerged at the beginning of the year and continue their technological and military cooperation.

No details have so far been provided on the timetable for the negotiations, the exact configuration of the modernized aircraft, or the value of any potential agreement. The course of the talks will depend on the understandings reached between the two governments and France’s budgetary context.