Massive Arms Deal: US Approves $23bn sale to UAE

The United States of America US in a major move on the sale of defense equipment notified Congress of proposed UAE Arms purchases of F-35 fighter aircraft, MQ-9B UAS, and munitions worth $23.37 billion to deter and defend against increased threats.

According to the details, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Tuesday that the US planned to sell top-of-the-line F-35 fighter jets to the UAE as part of a $23.37 billion package.

Today, the United States notified Congress of proposed UAE purchases of F-35 fighter aircraft, MQ-9B UAS, and munitions worth $23.37 billion to deter and defend against increased threats from Iran following historic Abraham Accords.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 10, 2020

Pompeo said in a statement that “The UAE’s historic agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively transform the region’s strategic landscape.”

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Whereas this deal was strictly criticized by the Democrats. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, criticized the deal with the UAE, saying it would constrain the options of President-elect Joe Biden who has signaled he will return the US to the Iran nuclear agreement.

This is a massive arms deal that is completely inappropriate for a lame duck Administration. It's a transparent attempt to narrow options in the Middle East for President-elect Biden when he takes office. https://t.co/w6TFUodFBv

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) November 10, 2020

Let it be known that the arms deal announcement came just days after Biden won enough states needed to take the presidency from Trump, who made pro-Israel policies part of his re-election campaign.

It is pertinent to mention here that the UAE, which is one of Washington’s closest Middle East allies, has long wanted the stealthy jets and was promised a chance to buy them in a side deal when it agreed to normalize relations with Israel.