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.
Blinked Says U.S. Responds To Russia’s Demands, Seeks Dialogue
WASHINGTON – The United States delivered written replies on Wednesday to sweeping Russia security demands, a key step in a fragile diplomatic process as Russia staged new military drills on land and sea near Ukraine. Secretary of State Blinken said the document, handed over in person by U.S. ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan, addressed Russia’s … More Blinked Says U.S. Responds To Russia’s Demands, Seeks Dialogue
Saudi Arabia Launches Gaming, E – Sports Group Savvy
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on Wednesday said it had launched a gaming and e – sports, Savvy Gaming, days after Swedish firm MTG announced it was selling ESL Gaming to it. MTG on Monday said it had agreed to sell ESL Gaming to Savvy Gaming Group for an enterprise value … More Saudi Arabia Launches Gaming, E – Sports Group Savvy
U.S., Qatar To Discuss Energy Security During Emir’s Washington Visit
WASHINGTON – Qatar’s ruling emir will hold talks with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Jan.31 on a range of issues that will include global energy security, the White House said on Tuesday, amid concerns about gas supplies to Europe. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al – Thani’s visit, the first since Biden … More U.S., Qatar To Discuss Energy Security During Emir’s Washington Visit
Saudi Arabia, Thailand Agree To Restore Full Diplomatic Ties
PARIS, France – Saudi Arabia and Thailand agree on Tuesday to exchange ambassadors in the first high – level meeting before the two countries since a row over a jewellery theft nearly three decades ago led the Gulf state to downgrade ties. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and visiting Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan … More Saudi Arabia, Thailand Agree To Restore Full Diplomatic Ties
Israel Says It Hopes For Ties With Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, But No Deals Imminent
PARIS, France – Israel’s top diplomat said on Tuesday it hopes to build on its 2020 U.S. – broken accords with four Muslim nations and establish diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, but such deal would take time. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest two sites, and Indonesia, which has the word’s largest Muslim … More Israel Says It Hopes For Ties With Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, But No Deals Imminent
Macron To Seek Clarification Of Putin’s Ukraine Intentions In Phone Call
PARIS, France – French President Emmanuel Macron said he would seek clarification over Russia’s intentions towards Ukraine in a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on Friday amid rising fears of an attack by the Kremlin on its former Soviet republic. Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed their support for Ukraine in a joint … More Macron To Seek Clarification Of Putin’s Ukraine Intentions In Phone Call
Pfizer And BioNTech Launch Trial Of Omicron – Targeted COVID Vaccine
PARIS, France – Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE said on Tuesday they started a clinical trail to test a new version of their vaccine specifically designed to target the COVID-19 Omicron variant, which had eluded some of the protection provided by the original two – dose vaccine regimen. Banking on volunteers in the United States, … More Pfizer And BioNTech Launch Trial Of Omicron – Targeted COVID Vaccine
Abu Dhabi Says Vaccinated Tourists Need No Booster To Entry
PARIS, France – Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have published new information about the capital’s entry requirements, saying that, unlike residents and citizens, vaccinated tourists do not need to show proof of a booster shot to cross into Abu Dhabi. The tourism – specific changes comes as confusion swirls around entry rules from Abu … More Abu Dhabi Says Vaccinated Tourists Need No Booster To Entry
Saudi Crown Prince, Thai PM Meet In Riyadh After 30 Years To Restore Ties
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman met with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan – o – cha, in Riyadh on Tuesday, as official talks get underway. The Thai leader was received at the meeting site by the Saudi Crown Prince in a grand ceremony shared on the Kingdom’s Ministry of … More Saudi Crown Prince, Thai PM Meet In Riyadh After 30 Years To Restore Ties
King Salman Heads Saudi Arabia’s First In – Person Cabinet Session Since Pandemic
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz headed on Tuesday the first in – person Cabinet meeting in Riyadh since COVID-19 disrupted activities globally. The Council of Ministers met at the al – Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss a range of events front recent leaps made in bilateral ties with a number … More King Salman Heads Saudi Arabia’s First In – Person Cabinet Session Since Pandemic
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
ARABIA 5AM NEWS 