Biden intends to resume the Trump arms sales case, selling more than $23 billion in weapons to the UAE, including 50 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. Pictured are U.S. F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. (Wikipedia public domain)
The Biden administration has told Congress it is moving forward with more than $23 billion in arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including advanced F-35s, armed drones and other equipment, Reuters reported.
A State Department spokesman also told the outlet that the administration will also continue to move forward with the arms sale as the U.S. continues to review and consult with UAE officials on the details of how the weapons will be used.
The massive arms sale to the UAE was previously finalized by President Trump as he left office, but the deal was then put on hold and reviewed again after Biden took office.
The Trump administration informed Congress last November that it had approved the arms sale to the UAE as a side deal to the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Agreement, a U.S.-brokered agreement last September, is one of the Trump administration’s most important international achievements. The agreement not only made the UAE the third Middle Eastern country to recognize Israel, after Egypt and Jordan, but was strategically significant in the Middle East as two anti-Iranian countries formally established diplomatic relations.
Subsequently, the Trump administration also prompted Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and other countries to reach peace agreements with Israel.
The Biden administration announced the review in late January, and the UAE said at the time that it had anticipated the outcome and welcomed joint efforts to ease tensions and restart regional dialogue.
Although some critics argue that the arms sale may violate the U.S. commitment to help Israel maintain military superiority in the region, Israel has said it does not oppose the sale. Israel, however, said it does not oppose the sale.
The reported $23.37 billion program includes products from General Atomics, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, including 50 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, 18 MQ-9B Predator drones, and other air-to-air and air-to-ground firepower. air-to-ground firepower.
Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the arms sale will help the UAE defend and deter Iran.
A State Department spokesman said Tuesday that if the sale is approved, the expected delivery date would be after 2025.
In an emailed statement to Reuters, the spokesman said the administration expects “a robust and ongoing dialogue with the UAE” to ensure a stronger security partnership.
“We will continue to work more closely with the UAE, and all recipients of U.S. defense goods and services, to ensure that U.S.-produced defense equipment is fully protected and used in a manner that respects human rights and is fully consistent with the Law of Armed Conflict.” The statement said.
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