Lockheed Martin announced yesterday that it has sold an undisclosed number of Sniper Advanced laser designation pods in the United Arab Emirates to equip the fleet of Emirati Mirage 2000-9s. Already used on the UAE's F-16E/F Block 60, the Sniper pod is expected to integrate the Mirage 2000-9, the most advanced version of Dassault's aircraft, as part of its modernization program.
On the French side, the news must undoubtedly disappoint Thales, which hoped to place on the Mirage 2000-9 its new TALIOS designation pod. In France, the latter must in fact replace the DAMOCLES pod, which today equips French fighters but also the Emirati Mirage 2000-9. In fact, DAMOCLES was even designed specifically in collaboration with the UAE based on their own needs. Locally designated SHEHAB and 30% financed by the Emirates, DAMOCLES was also subsequently integrated into the Tornado and Typhoon Saudis, faced with needs similar to those of the United Arab Emirates.
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