UAE's China ties cast doubt on purchase of US F-35 fighter jets

The Biden administration stated on Tuesday it needs a “clear, mutual understanding” of the United Arab Emirates’s obligations earlier than it finalises a $23bn sale of US-made F-35 fighter jets, Reaper drones and different superior munitions, following a report that Abu Dhabi was threatening to drag out from the deal.

“The Biden-Harris Administration stays dedicated to the proposed gross sales of F-35 plane, the MQ-9B, and munitions whilst we proceed consultations to make sure that we have now a transparent, mutual understanding of Emirati obligations and actions earlier than, throughout, and after supply,” a State Division spokesperson instructed Center East Eye.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Wall Road Journal reported, citing US officers, that the UAE is threatening to drag out of the deal, saying in a letter that it thought the safety necessities the US had laid out to safeguard the high-tech weaponry from Chinese language espionage had been too onerous.

UAE halts development at Chinese language port mission close to Abu Dhabi ‘as a result of US strain’

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Whereas some US officers instructed the Journal the letter – written by a comparatively junior Emirati official – was a negotiating tactic heading right into a go to by a high-level UAE army delegation to the Pentagon, different officers stated there was a scramble to salvage the weapons sale to the Emirates, a detailed Gulf ally.

“This type of back-and-forth shouldn’t be uncommon for vital arms gross sales and we’re hopeful we are able to work by means of these points and we predict the joint army dialogue will give us a possibility to take action,” an official instructed the Journal.

The State Division spokesperson instructed MEE that Washington is “hopeful that we are able to work by means of any excellent points, and we sit up for the US-UAE Joint Army Dialogue later this week”.

On 20 January, former President Donald Trump’s final day in workplace, Washington and Abu Dhabi signed a $23bn deal for 50 F-35 jets and as much as 18 armed drones and different weapons applied sciences from various main US defence contractors. In line with the deal, the jets are set to be delivered by 2027. 

President Joe Biden issued a assessment of the sale as soon as in workplace and introduced its development in mid-April.

Considerations over China

Whereas the US is the most important arms provider to the Center East, with exports growing by 28 % between 2016 and 2020, China’s financial affect has grown within the area largely as a result of investments and development initiatives through its Belt and Highway Initiative.

China has additionally billed itself as a associate for almost each nation within the area, pursuing infrastructure initiatives in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and creating sturdy ties with Iran.

The US has grown more and more involved over China’s affect within the Gulf area, and notably contained in the UAE.

Biden had himself expressed this concern throughout talks in Could and August with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ), in accordance with a earlier report by the Journal.

Biden instructed the crown prince that the US feared China’s exercise may have a detrimental affect on their partnership, to which MBZ replied he had heard the US president “loud and clear”.

Final week, the Emirates halted development work at a Chinese language port mission close to Abu Dhabi after US officers argued that Beijing supposed to make use of the location for army functions.