France and the United Arab Emirates have resumed talks to develop an upgraded version of the Rafale fighter; a plan in which Abu Dhabi’s financial participation could reduce pressure on France’s defense budget.

Reuters on Friday, 1 Aban, citing two informed sources and a senior French official, reported that the plan, after talks were halted earlier this year, has been put back on the agenda following President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to the region. During the visit, Macron and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president, agreed to expand defense cooperation.

Reuters wrote that the UAE, the largest buyer of the Rafale, would likely condition its participation in the plan on receiving technology or transferring part of the production to the country.

Reuters wrote that amid ongoing clashes in the Persian Gulf, France has helped the UAE by sending air-defense systems to it and by bringing down Islamic Republic drones with its fighter jets.