The UAE today (Wednesday) signed a huge arms deal with the United States that includes the supply of 50 F-35 fighter jets to the Emirate Air Force along with a large amount of UAVs and guided missiles, Reuters reported.
The UAE has taken advantage of the last hours of the term of office of US President Donald Trump, whose administration has promoted the deal, for fear the Biden administration will refuse a visa. The deal has been criticized by various circles, including those who have argued that it could undermine Israel’s technological superiority in the region.
According to the Reuters news agency, the document was signed less than an hour before President Biden was sworn in and gave the UAE the option to agree on the transfer date and the overall purchase. It was further alleged that the emirates held the agreement papers for more than a week before deciding to sign.
Yesterday, President Biden’s candidate for secretary of state, Anthony Blink, said the administration would look into the deal. Blinkan has previously claimed that the sale of the planes to the UAE feels like a “hand-washing” when it comes to peace agreements with Israel.
The UAE, which lies in the Persian Gulf and shares a maritime border with Iran, is interested in the new aircraft in order to maintain air superiority over Iran in the event of a military escalation in the region. Iran has in the past invaded islands owned by the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi fears such aggression measures will occur in the future.