PARIS (Reuters) – A French arms deal worth 17 billion euros ($19.23 trillion) with the United Arab Emirates will ensure the supply chain of France’s Rafale warplane. It also directly supports 7,000 local jobs.

On Friday, the deal included the most significant overseas sale ever of the French warplane. According to a source, it will bring the total number of Rafales available for export up to 236.

France and UAE have strengthened their security ties at a time in which diplomats are questioning whether the United States is still committed to the Middle East after its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

French officials stated that the deal demonstrated the need for several countries to diversify their security.

According to the official, it is valued at 14 billion euro for 80 Dassault Aviation Rafale fighters and 2 billion Euros for cruise and air missiles from European consortium MBDA. It also includes 1 billion for 12 Airbus H225M Caracal helicopters.

Rafale’s latest F-4 Standard of Rafale is being sold. This will allow the French to improve connectivity between their jets and share target identification, as a follow-up to the U.S. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:) F-35.

According to defence sources, the Rafale could replace a fleet Dassault Mirage 2000 planes currently deployed in the UAE. It is also unlikely that it will replace an F-35 purchase as the UAE maintains its security between two key suppliers.

The agreement is nevertheless widely viewed as a sign of impatience. It was approved by Congress in a delay. This comes amid concern about UAE’s relationship to China.

French officials stated that the agreement did not include any provision for Mirage 2000s being bought back, or to make industrial offset investments.

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