Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has confirmed that the United States plans to sell top-of-the-line F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates as part of a $23.37 billion package.
The State Department sent a formal notice to Congress on the sale of the stealth precision planes, long sought by the Gulf Arab ally which won a green light after agreeing in September to recognise Israel.
“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,” Pompeo said in a statement.
“Our adversaries, especially those in Iran, know this and will stop at nothing to disrupt this shared success,” he said.
Democratic lawmakers on October 29 had reported that the State Department had informally discussed the sale with Congress, which has the power to block arms sales.
Pompeo confirmed that the sale would include up to 50 F-35s, which can be used to gather intelligence, conduct airstrikes and carry out air-to-air combat.
Pompeo said the sale would also include up to 18 MQ-9B advanced drones as well as $10bn worth of air and ground munitions.
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