UAE suspending talks on F-35 jets amid US concerns over China ties
- Rare dispute between US and Gulf nation ally clouds US$23 billion defence deal
- UAE’s deepening ties with China raising national security concerns in Washington
The United Arab Emirates has informed the United States that it will suspend discussions to acquire F-35 fighter jets, a UAE official said, part of a US$23 billion deal that also includes drones and other advanced munitions.
“Technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions, and cost/benefit analysis led to the reassessment,” the UAE official said in a statement on Tuesday that confirmed a report in The Wall Street Journal.
The statement comes days after the UAE agreed to buy a record 80 Rafale warplanes from France for €14 billion (US$15.8 billion) during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, indicating the oil-rich Gulf state has alternatives.
“The US remains the UAE’s preferred provider for advanced defence requirements and discussions for the F-35 may be reopened in the future,” the official said, adding there were discussions to “address mutual defence security conditions for the acquisition”.