Safran and GAL Join Forces to Ensure Fleet Readiness for UAE Mirage 2000 Aircraft

February 20, 2025

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On the occasion of the IDEX (International Defence Exhibition and Conference) 2025, Safran Aircraft Engines and the UAE based company Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) announce a strategic partnership to deliver world class support for the entire fleet of M53 engines powering the Mirage 2000 aircraft operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force & Air Defense (UAE AFAD). This collaboration brings together Safran’s cutting-edge expertise in aircraft engines and GAL’s proven track record in providing comprehensive maintenance and logistics services.

Under the terms of this multi-year partnership named Global Service Solution (GSS), Safran Aircraft Engines and GAL will jointly ensure the operational readiness and sustained performance of the UAE AFAD Mirage 2000 fleet.

This long-term partnership allows Safran and GAL to anticipate and address the maintenance requirements of the UAE AFAD’s M53 engine fleet, ensuring continuous operational readiness. The French engine manufacturer thus consolidates its supply chain by securing the supply of parts and activity in its maintenance shops. Meanwhile, GAL will leverage its in country maintenance and logistics capabilities to streamline operations and ensure seamless service delivery, reinforcing the reliability and sustainability of AFAD’s operations.

Mahmood Al Hay Al Hameli, Chief Executive Officer at GAL, commented: “Our agreement with Safran to ensure the UAE AFAD Mirage 2000 fleet remains mission-ready at all times marks a significant milestone in our commitment to strengthening the UAE’s defense aviation capabilities. Partnering with Safran also underscores a shared vision in delivering world-class aerospace solutions and further reinforces GAL’s role as a trusted partner in supporting national defense objectives.”

"We are delighted to implement this first of its kind maintenance agreement with GAL for the benefit of the UAE AFAD Mirage 2000-9 fleet," said Christophe Bruneau, Executive Vice President, Military Engines, Safran Aircraft Engines. "We share a long-standing trust-based relationship with GAL and the UAE armed forces and are fully committed to providing them with the highest standards of operational support for the M53 engine."

The United Arab Emirates has relied on Safran’s military engines for more than 50 years, starting with Mirage III and Mirage 5 aircraft powered by the ATAR turbojet engine. The country now operates Mirage 2000-9 fighters equipped with M53 engines In 2021, the United Arab Emirates became the sixth export customer of the Rafale and its M88 engines. This continuation ties the historical significance of the Rafale order to the broader context of a long-term support relationship while emphasizing strategic alignment for the decades ahead.

Source : Safran S.A.