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UAE withdraws from joint Rafale F-5 fighter jet project with France

The United Arab Emirates has pulled out of a joint project with France to develop the Rafale F-5 aircraft. The UAE was set to finance 3.5 billion euros of the expected 5 billion euro development cost, but requested access to the aircraft's advanced optronics systems. France refused the request and will now be forced to bear the development costs alone. France's stance in the current conflict with Iran may have influenced the UAE's decision to withdraw funding.