WASHINGTON: The United Arab Emirates confirmed that it signed agreementswith the United States on former President Donald Trump’s last full day inoffice to purchase up to 50 F-35 jets, 18 armed drones and other defenseequipment in a deal worth $23 billion.
The UAE embassy in Washington said in a statement on its website that theletters of agreement had been finalised on Tuesday confirming terms ofpurchase, including costs, technical specifications and anticipateddelivery schedules.
Reuters first reported the news on Wednesday.
The deal, however, could now be reviewed as the new Biden administrationhas said it will re-examine the agreements for the sale, which the Trumpadministration had said supported US foreign policy and national securityobjectives by allowing the UAE to deter Iranian “threats”.
The UAE, a close US ally, has long expressed interest in acquiring thestealthy F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin and was promised a chance to buythem in a side deal when it agreed to normalize ties with Israel lastAugust.
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The embassy said the contracts included as many as 50 F-35A fighters valuedat $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9B drones valued at $2.97 billion, and variousmunitions valued at $10 billion.
It did not mention the final in-country delivery date for the F-35 jets,but people familiar with the matter had told Reuters the initial proposalsent to UAE said 2027.
