US reveals reasons for delaying the F-35 sales to UAE

SANAA, Dec. 16 (YPA) – The US expressed its readiness to move forward with the sale of F-35 fighters and Reaper MQ-9B drones to the UAE.

Blinken’s remarks came at a press conference on Wednesday with his Malaysian counterpart, CNN reported.

However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed two conditions for completing the deal,

Blinken stated: “We’ve wanted to make sure, for example, that our commitment to Israel’s qualitative military edge is assured, so we wanted to make sure that we could do a thorough review of any technologies that are sold or transferred to other partners in the region, including the UAE.”

A UAE official told Reuters on Tuesday that the Emirates has informed the United States that it will cease discussions to purchase the F-35, citing technical needs, sovereign operating restrictions, and cost/benefit analyses.

According to the official, talks may be reopened in the future, and there are plans to address mutual defense security criteria for the acquisition.

Last month, a US official said the United States intends to move forward with the deal, but there must be a clear understanding of the UAE’s “commitments.”

E.M