UAE Will Not Revive the Agreement for the Procurement of 50 F-35 With the US
With the U.S. presidential election set for November and Trump once again running as the Republican candidate, reports suggest that the UAE may resume negotiations for the procurement of F-35 fighter jets if Trump wins the presidency.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA)– The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has no plans to resume negotiations with the United States regarding the procurement of 50 F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, which were previously stalled following Donald Trump’s defeat in the U.S. presidential election four years ago.
With the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November, where Trump is once again the Republican candidate, there have been reports suggesting that the UAE might reconsider negotiations for the F-35 jets if Trump wins the presidency.
However, senior UAE officials have firmly stated that they will not revive the negotiations, “regardless” of who wins the U.S. presidential election in November.
“Our position (UAE) remains unchanged, and we do not anticipate reopening discussions about the F-35 fighter jets in the future, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election,” a senior UAE official told an international news agency recently.
In 2020, the UAE signed an agreement with the United States to acquire 50 F-35 fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin, along with various other weapons, estimated to be worth $23.3 billion (RM93.2 billion).
F-35
Besides the F-35 aircraft, the agreement between the two allied nations also involved the procurement of 18 MQ-9B Reaper drones and a range of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.
However, this deal to purchase the 50 F-35 jets, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and other weaponry was suspended following Trump’s defeat to Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the presidential election.
Upon taking office, President Biden reviewed the agreement for the acquisition of the 50 F-35 jets by the UAE for several reasons, including concerns about the UAE’s close relationship with China.
Reports indicated that the U.S. was particularly worried because China’s telecommunications giant Huawei had substantial contracts with the UAE, sparking concerns that Huawei’s 5G technology could “compromise” the stealth technology of the F-35 fighters.
Not long after Trump was “ousted” from the White House and replaced by Democrat Joe Biden, the UAE decided to procure 80 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal valued at $19 billion (RM76 billion).
L-15 “Hongdu”
The F-35 agreement between Trump and the UAE, which included 50 fighter jets, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and various missiles, remains in limbo with no resolution in sight.
In addition to acquiring 80 Rafale fighters, the UAE has also strengthened its military ties with China through the acquisition of L-15 “Hongdu” light fighter/Fighter Lead-In Trainer (FLIT) aircraft.
In July, the UAE sent its Mirage fighter jets, Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, A330 Multi Role Transport Tanker (MRTT), and C-17 Globemaster to China for joint exercises.
These UAE Air Force assets were stationed at the Hotan airbase in China to participate in the “Falcon Shield 2024” joint air exercise organized by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This marked the second consecutive year that the UAE Air Force has taken part in joint air drills with China.
Pesawat pejuang “Rafale”
The United States’ concerns over the deepening military relationship between the UAE and China intensified when U.S. intelligence revealed in 2022 that China planned to build a military base in the UAE.
Despite U.S. objections, the UAE is said to be moving forward with the construction of the Chinese military base in the Gulf state. – DSA