WASHINGTON – – The United Arab Emirates confirmed that it 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 finalised on Tuesday confirming terms of purchase, including costs, technical specifications and anticipated delivery schedules.
Reuters first reported the news on Wednesday.
The deal, however, could now be reviewed as the new Biden administration has said it will re-examine the agreements for the sale, which the Trump administration had said supported U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by allowing the UAE to deter Iranian ‘threats’.
The UAE, a close U.S. ally, has long expressed interest in acquiring the stealthy F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin and was promised a chance to buy them in a side deal when it agreed to normalize ties with Israel last August.
The embassy said the contracts included as many as 50 F-35 A 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 U.S. Senate rejected attempts to block the transaction which opponents had said was being rushed through without sufficient assurance that the equipment would not fall into the wrong hands or fuel instability in the Middle East.
The embassy statement said the Gulf Arab state was committed to de-escalation in the region and that the defense package enhanced U.S.-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.
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the Dhu al – Hijjah crescent moon on Wednesday evening, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The sighting of the moon marks the beginning of the Dhu Al – Hijjah Islamic month in which the Hajj … More Saudi Arabia Calls On Muslims To Sight Dhu Al – Hijjah Crescent Moon
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s industry and Mineral Resources said on Friday the country would invest $3.4 billion in the vaccine and biomedical drugs sector, according to state news agency SPA. The Minister Bandar Alkhorayef, who heads the newly – established vaccines and biopharmaceutical industry committee, said the move is part of the kingdom’s push … More Saudi Arabia To Invest $3.4 Bln In Vaccine,Biomedical Drugs Sector
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Egypt on Monday and was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel – Fattah el Sisi, state news agency SPA reported. The Crown Prince’s visit to Egypt is part of a tour that will include visiting Jordan and Turkey next. The visits were based on … More Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Arrives In Egypt, Will Visit Jordan And Turkey Next
PARIS, France – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit Egypt on June 20 as part of a regional tour that includes stops in Jordan and Turkey, two diplomatic sources said on Saturday. Prince Mohammed will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al – Sisi to discuss issues including the impact of the war in … More Saudi Crown Prince To Visit Egypt June 20 On Regional Tour
PARIS, France – Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and minister of presidential affairs, on Wednesday launched the National Media Office. The unit is tasked with developing the media sector, legislation, regulations, and decisions on media development while also monitoring the implementation of legislation in coordination with the relevant authorities and administrative … More Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Establishes National Media Office in UAE
PARIS, France – Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala and a fund managed by European buyout firm EQT have agreed to buy Envirotainer, a Swedish company which leases out cold containers for shipping temperature – sensitive healthcare products. Mubadala and the EQT X fund are buying the company from European buyout firm Cinven and Denmark life … More Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala And EQT Fund To Buy Sweden’s Envirotainer
WASHINGTON – The White House took the rare step of recognizing the role played by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in extending a ceasefire in Yemen on Thursday ahead of what is expected to be a trip to Riyadh by President Joe Biden. White House press secretary Karine Jean – Pierre told reporters … More White House Praises Saudi Crown Prince Ahead Of Expected Biden Trip
MILAN – Italy’s top soccer league Serie A is in talks over a broadcast deal with state – backed Abu Dhabi Media and on a separate agreement to host its Super Cup in the emirate, three sources with knowledge of the matter said. Home to AC Milan, Juventus and other top clubs, Serie A is … More Soccer Serie A Seeks Abu Dhabi Deals On TV Rights, Italian Super Cup – Sources
PARIS, France – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday where he will meet with the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC), two Gulf officials said on Tuesday. Lavrov is expected to meet with ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar in … More Russia’s Lavrov To Meet With GCC Ministers In Riyadh On Wednesday – Officials
DUBAI – Dubai’s Emirates Central Cooling System Cooperation (Empower) has invited investment banks to pitch for roles in its planned initial public offering, which is slated for later this years, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Empower, which is part owned by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has asked banks to … More Dubai Cooling Firm Empower Invited Banks To Pitch For IPO – Sources