DUBAI, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Thursday it had taken delivery of the first batch of French Rafale fighter jets under a 16.6-billion-euro (17.2 billion U.S. dollars) deal to modernize its air force, the Gulf state's defense ministry said.

The ministry described the delivery as part of a "historic" agreement with France's Dassault Aviation, emphasizing strengthened bilateral defense ties. It did not disclose the number of jets received in the initial shipment.

The deal for 80 Rafales, signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the UAE in December 2021, forms part of a broader arms package that also includes 12 military helicopters.

A handover ceremony in Paris was attended by UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, senior Emirati officials, and French defense representatives, the ministry said in a statement. Enditem

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