DUBAI: The UAE has completed the signing of a $23 billion deal with the US to buy defense equipment and up to 50 American F-35 fighter aircraft.
In a statement on its website, the Emirati embassy in Washington said: “The United Arab Emirates finalized letters of agreement (LOAs) with the US government for the acquisition of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and other defense equipment, as previously announced.”
The embassy added that the LOAs were wrapped up on Tuesday and confirmed the terms of the UAE purchase, including costs, technical specifications, and anticipated delivery schedules.
The contracts include “as many as 50 F-35A fighters valued at $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9B drones valued at $2.97 billion, and various munitions valued at $10 billion,” the statement said.
It added that the latest defense package, inked on outgoing US President Donald Trump’s last day in office, “confirms the UAE-US partnership by enhancing military interoperability to counter evolving regional threats.”
The embassy pointed out that the deal was also “consistent with the bipartisan US National Defense Strategy of enabling partners to take on more responsibility for their own and collective security in the Middle East.”
It also noted that the US Senate had rejected an attempt to block the sales back in December last year.
Following the vote, the UAE’s ambassador to Washington, Yousef Al-Otaiba, released a statement on Dec. 9 in which he said: “The UAE deeply appreciates the consideration of all senators on today’s votes. Continued US support enables the UAE to take on more of the burden for our collective security – ours, yours, and our partners.
“Open, tolerant, and future oriented, the UAE is charting a new positive path for the Middle East.”
Al-Otaiba added that the country was committed to regional de-escalation and dialogue and looked forward to deepening the 49-year relationship with the US “on pressing challenges like global health, climate, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and regional conflicts.”
The embassy statement also reiterated that the UAE was committed to de-escalation and a new regional dialogue.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said on Thursday that the UAE was looking forward to working with US President Joe Biden “to overcome common global challenges” and stood “ready to strengthen efforts to support peace in our region.”
UAE signs $23bn deal to buy F-35 jets, drones from US
https://arab.news/wt33b
UAE signs $23bn deal to buy F-35 jets, drones from US
- The package includes 50 F-35A fighters, 18 MQ-9B drones, and various munitions
- ‘UAE is committed to de-escalation and a new regional dialogue’ — embassy
UN chief condemns Israeli law blocking electricity, water for UNRWA facilities
- The agency provides education, health and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned on Wednesday a move by Israel to ban electricity or water to facilities owned by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, a UN spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the move would “further impede” the agency’s ability to operate and carry out activities.
“The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations remains applicable to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), its property and assets, and to its officials and other personnel. Property used by UNRWA is inviolable,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, said while adding that UNRWA is an “integral” part of the world body.
UNRWA Commissioner General Phillipe Lazzarini also condemned the move, saying that it was part of an ongoing “ systematic campaign to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct” the role it plays in providing assistance to Palestinian refugees.
In 2024, the Israeli parliament passed a law banning the agency from operating in the country and prohibiting officials from having contact with the agency.
As a result, UNRWA operates in East Jerusalem, which the UN considers territory occupied by Israel. Israel considers all Jerusalem to be part of the country.
The agency provides education, health and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It has long had tense relations with Israel but ties have deteriorated sharply since the start of the war in Gaza and Israel has called repeatedly for UNRWA to be disbanded, with its responsibilities transferred to other UN agencies.
The prohibition of basic utilities to the UN agency came as Israel also suspended of dozens of international non-governmental organizations working in Gaza due to a failure to meet new rules to vet those groups.
In a joint statement, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom said on Tuesday such a move would have a severe impact on the access of essential services, including health care. They said one in three health care facilities in Gaza would close if international NGO operations stopped.
