FFEAU — Forces françaises aux Émirats arabes unis

France established a permanent military presence in the United Arab Emirates in 2009, following a bilateral defence agreement that strengthened the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries. Known as the Forces françaises aux Émirats arabes unis (FFEAU), the deployment became France's principal permanent military foothold in the Gulf and a forward base for operations across the Middle East and Indian Ocean. French Ministry of the Armed Forces — FFEAU

The FFEAU are distributed across three military sites. The French naval base is located at the Port of Abu Dhabi and provides logistical support to French Navy vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The French Air Base 104 is located within the Emirati Al Dhafra Air Base, where the French Air and Space Force operates Rafale fighters. A third component, the 5th Cuirassier Regiment, is based at Zayed Military City and provides an armoured combined-arms capability with Leclerc tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and CAESAR artillery. French Ministry of the Armed Forces — FFEAU structure and capabilities

The Abu Dhabi naval base is particularly important as a forward logistical support point for the French Navy. It can support French vessels making operational calls in the UAE or operating in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, providing berthing, technical support, storage and other services needed to sustain naval deployments. The base also hosts the FFEAU command structure and joint support organisations. French Ministry of the Armed Forces — Abu Dhabi naval base

The air component provides France with a permanent combat-air capability in the Gulf. Air Base 104 at Al Dhafra hosts the 1/7 Provence fighter squadron equipped with Rafale aircraft and is also configured to receive other aircraft, including transport aircraft, tankers and maritime patrol aircraft. This gives France a rapidly deployable air capability in a strategically important region and supports the deterrent role of the FFEAU. French Ministry of the Armed Forces — FFEAU Air Base 104

The FFEAU also serves as a forward operational and logistical platform. France describes its missions as including the ability to respond rapidly to regional crises, support partner forces, protect French citizens and interests, contribute to maritime security, and provide a point from which additional French forces can be deployed into the region. The French command in the UAE also oversees a maritime area extending from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Malacca, linking the Gulf presence with France's wider Indian Ocean responsibilities. French Ministry of the Armed Forces — FFEAU missions

The installation is also used extensively for joint training with the Emirati armed forces. French units conduct exercises in desert and urban environments, while the permanent presence allows France to maintain forces already positioned in the region rather than relying entirely on deployments from Europe. The FFEAU therefore functions simultaneously as a French overseas military base, a training platform and a regional operational hub. French Ministry of the Armed Forces — Gulf 25 and FFEAU partnership