(Washington) The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday threatened to cancel its purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the United States, protesting against conditions deemed too strict, amid US mistrust of China .
The two countries, however, said they hoped to resolve their disagreement.
“The Emirates have informed the United States that they will suspend discussions” to acquire the fifty F-35s, said an Emirati official.
“Technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions and a cost / benefit analysis led to this reassessment,” he added.
The alternative: French Rafales
The announcement comes after the UAE signed an agreement in early December for a record order for 80 French Rafale fighter jets for € 14 billion (US $ 15.8 billion) during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, demonstrating that the Gulf State has alternatives.
But according to the UAE official, the United States remains “the UAE’s preferred supplier” for advanced equipment and, despite the announced suspension of F-35 talks, an Emirati delegation is visiting Washington this week for talks.
“We hope we can resolve all outstanding issues,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it was customary to discuss the requirements before any technology transfer.
These requirements “and the protection of US defense equipment are universal, non-negotiable and non-UAE-specific,” he said.
Elected officials of Mr. Biden’s Democratic Party had tried, in vain, to block the sale, arguing in particular of the participation of the Emirates in the offensive in Yemen by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
China more and more present
American officials are also increasingly concerned about China’s involvement with this American ally, in particular with work in a port near the capital Abu Dhabi.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the United States is insisting on certain conditions to ensure that the F-35s are not vulnerable to Chinese espionage.
The Emirates had long wanted to acquire F-35s and MQ-9 “Reaper” drones, but Israel opposed it in order to maintain its technological superiority. The Hebrew state has received assurances from the United States on this matter.
The sale, approved in the last weeks of Donald Trump’s tenure, following the agreement to normalize relations between the Emirates and Israel, involves 50 F-35 stealth fighters, 18 armed MQ-9 drones and air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground, for an amount of 23 billion dollars.