According to the report, the UAE was expected to finance approximately €3.5 billion out of the projected €5 billion development cost. However, Abu Dhabi demanded access to the aircraft’s advanced optronic systems — a request France denied.

As a result, France may now be forced to shoulder the full financial burden of the project alone.

Even more important, the UAE’s decision was influenced by France’s stand in the current war against Iran, which has further strained trust between the two sides.