UAE confirms signing $23 bln deal to buy F-35 jets, drones from US
The United Arab Emirates confirmed Friday that it had signed agreements with the United States on former President Donald Trump’s last full day in office to purchase up to 50 F-35 jets, 18 armed drones and other defense equipment in a deal worth $23 billion.
The UAE embassy in Washington said in a statement on its website that the letters of agreement had been finalized on Tuesday confirming terms of purchase, including costs, technical specifications and anticipated delivery schedules.
The UAE, a close US ally, has long expressed interest in acquiring the stealthy F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin .
The embassy said the contracts included as many as 50 F-35A fighters valued at $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9B drones valued at $2.97 billion, and various munitions valued at $10 billion.
It did not mention the final in-country delivery date for the F-35 jets, but people familiar with the matter had told Reuters the initial proposal sent to UAE said 2027.
In December, the US Senate rejected attempts to block the transaction which opponents had said was being rushed through.
The embassy statement said the Gulf Arab state was committed to de-escalation in the region and that the defense package enhanced US-UAE military interoperability.
It said the transaction was also “consistent with the bipartisan US National Defense Strategy of enabling partners to take on more responsibility for their own and collective security in the Middle East.”
The UAE said on Thursday that it looked forward to working with President Joe Biden’s administration.
