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US ready to move forward with sale of F-35s, drones to UAE
A UAE official on Tuesday told Reuters that it had informed the United States that it would suspend discussions to acquire F-35 fighter jets, part of a $23 billion deal that includes drones and other advanced munitions.
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An F-35 pilot prepares for take off from the Vermont Air National Guard Base with the flag of the United States, before a flyover in South Burlington, Vermont, U.S. May 22. (US Air National Guard via Reuters/Julie M Shea)
T
he United States is prepared to move forward with the sale of F-35 fighter jets and drones to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, after reports the UAE intended to suspend discussion of the deal.
A UAE official on Tuesday told Reuters that it had informed the United States that it would suspend discussions to acquire F-35 fighter jets, part of a $23 billion deal that includes drones and other advanced munitions.
The official cited "technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions, and cost/benefit analysis" as reasons that have prompted a re-assessment of the deal by the UAE government.
The UAE had signed an agreement to purchase 50 F-35 jets and up to 18 armed drones, people familiar with the situation told Reuters in January.
Speaking at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Blinken said Washington had to conduct some reviews.
"We've wanted to make sure, for example, that our commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge is assured, so we wanted to make sure that we could do a thorough review of any technologies that are sold or transferred to other partners in the region, including the UAE," Blinken said.
"But I think we continue to be prepared to move forward if the UAE continues to want to pursue both of these," he said.
On Tuesday, the UAE threatened Tuesday to scrap its mega-purchase of US F-35 fighter jets, protesting stringent conditions amid Washington's concerns on China, but both sides said they hoped to resolve the dispute.
President Joe Biden has pledged greater oversight over the state-of-the-art planes after the $23 billion arms package was pushed through by his predecessor Donald Trump in what was seen as a reward for the Gulf State's recognition of Israel.
"The UAE has informed the US that it will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35," an Emirati official said.
"Technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions and cost/benefit analysis led to the re-assessment," the official said, quoted by AFP.
The statement comes days after the UAE agreed to buy a record 80 Rafale warplanes from France for 14 billion euros ($15.8 billion) during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, indicating the oil-rich Gulf state has alternatives.
But the Emirati official said that the United States "remains the UAE's preferred provider" for advanced equipment and, despite the declared suspension of F-35 talks, an Emirati delegation is visiting Washington for talks this week.
"We are hopeful that we can work through any outstanding issues," a State Department spokesperson said.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it was customary to discuss requirements before transferring technology.
"These end-user requirements and protection of US defense equipment are universal, non-negotiable and not specific to the UAE," Kirby said.
Lawmakers from Biden's Democratic Party unsuccessfully sought to stop the sale, pointing in part to the Gulf state's participation in the bloody Saudi-led offensive in Yemen and its support for Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar.
US officials have also been increasingly concerned by China's involvement with the US ally, including work at a port near the capital Abu Dhabi.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the impasse, said that the United States was insisting on conditions to make sure the F-35s would not be vulnerable to Chinese espionage.
Leading the bid a year ago to stop the sale, Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voiced alarm at Emirati discussions on military cooperation with both China and Russia.
"Should we not have a definitive commitment from the UAE that that will not move forward?" he asked.
The F-35s are prized for stealth capabilities and versatility with the capacity to gather intelligence, strike deep into enemy territory and engage in air duels.
US ally Israel historically objected to Arab states obtaining the F-35s, seeking to maintain its regional edge, but gave its blessing after the UAE last year became the first new Arab country in decades to recognize the Jewish state.
Israel and the UAE have found common cause on concerns about Iran, although a top Emirati official this month visited Iran, where officials voiced hope for smoother ties.
