At IDEX 2025, Safran Aircraft Engines and Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) announced 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).
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.
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.
