UAE Seeks to Renew F-35 Deal with US if Trump Returns to White House

According to sources, the United Arab Emirates plans to renew a multibillion-dollar contract with the United States for F-35 fighter planes and armed drones in the event that Donald Trump is elected to a second term as president.

What Happened: The UAE has long wanted an advanced fighter jet with stealth technology that would allow it to evade enemy detection. If the US approves the transfer, it would make the UAE the second Middle Eastern state to operate F-35 fighter jets after Israel, Reuters reported on Friday.

In 2020, Trump approved a $23 billion deal that includes MQ-9 Reaper drones and weapons, after the United Arab Emirates established ties with Israel under a deal brokered by his administration. However, at the end of 2021, the UAE halted negotiations after being unable to agree on a deal with the Biden administration.

If Trump is re-elected, the UAE is seeking to restart negotiations that would require the new Trump administration to fulfill the original deal, three of the sources said. The UAE will ask the new Trump administration to honor the 2021 deal, a source said.

The United Arab Emirates is one of Washington’s most important security partners in the Middle East. Its forces fought alongside the United States. US troops have been stationed in Abu Dhabi in several campaigns, including the war in Afghanistan.

Carolyn Leavitt, a national spokeswoman for Trump’s campaign, said in a statement, “A second Trump presidency will restore peace through the authority to rebuild and expand the peace alliances built during his first administration to create long-term security and safety in the Middle East. .” All over the world.”

Why it matters: F-35 deal for US and UAE In 2021, the Biden administration asked the UAE to divest Huawei Technologies Co from the telecommunications network, further affecting the UAE’s $23 billion purchase of Lockheed Martin Corp’s LMT F-35 jets and drones.

It has urged the UAE to remove Huawei devices from its networks over the next four years before taking delivery of the F-35 in 2026 or 2027. However, UAE officials have said more time is needed and an affordable alternative is needed.