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The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) confirmed on 19 October that it has received Nexter Leclerc main battle tanks (MBTs) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
![King Abdullah II (centre with helmet), Prince Hussein (left), and Princess Salma (between the two) inspect a Leclerc tank during Exercise āSalah al-Din Fortressā. (Royal Hashemite Court)](/images/default-source/news-images/fg_3773062-jdw-8583.jpg?sfvrsn=15de7d70_2)
King Abdullah II (centre with helmet), Prince Hussein (left), and Princess Salma (between the two) inspect a Leclerc tank during Exercise āSalah al-Din Fortressā. (Royal Hashemite Court)
The announcement was made in a statement about Exercise āSalah al-Din Fortressā in the Eastern Military Region.
āFor the first time, the Leclerc (Zayed) tanks were used, which entered service this year as a fruit of the fraternal and strategic relations linking Jordan and the United Arab Emirates,ā it said.
It released a video showing at least four Leclercs in action during what appeared to be an armoured formation exercise supported by F-16 fighters carrying guided munitions and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.
The Royal Hashemite Court also released a photograph showing King Abdullah II inspecting a Leclerc with his son Crown Prince Hussein and daughter Princess Salma, both graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
A French defence blog reported in September that the UAE had decided to donate 80 Leclercs to Jordan, saying they would re-equip four battalions of the 3rd King Abdullah II Armoured Division.
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