The Biden administration has informed Congress of its decision to proceed with a $23 billion arms sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including advanced F-35 fighter jets, armed drones, and various munitions. The deal, originally negotiated under former President Donald Trump, had been put on hold for review by President Joe Biden’s administration.
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Details of the Arms Sale
| Equipment | Manufacturer | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| F-35 Lightning II aircraft | Lockheed Martin | 50 |
| MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Systems | General Atomics | Up to 18 |
| Air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions | Raytheon Technologies | Various |
A spokesperson from the US State Department stated that while the administration will proceed with the sales, it will continue consulting with Emirati officials regarding the appropriate use of these weapons.
Background and Diplomatic Context
The arms sale is closely linked to the Abraham Accords, a series of US-brokered agreements that led to the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco normalising relations with Israel. In November 2020, the Trump administration officially notified Congress of its approval of the deal, finalising it on 20 January 2021—just an hour before Biden was sworn in as president.
Israel, which maintains a qualitative military edge in the region, has stated that it does not object to the arms deal.
Concerns Over Humanitarian Impact
Despite support from congressional Republicans, some US lawmakers have raised concerns over the UAE’s role in Yemen’s ongoing conflict, considered one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. Critics argue that transferring such high-grade weaponry could violate US commitments to ensuring Israel’s regional military superiority and could exacerbate tensions in the Middle East.
The Biden administration has also been reviewing its broader arms sales policies, particularly concerning Saudi Arabia, given its role in Yemen and its human rights record. In February, officials indicated that the administration was considering cancelling certain past deals and limiting future sales to purely defensive weapons.
Projected Timeline and Conditions
The delivery of these weapons to the UAE is not expected until at least 2025. The US government has pledged to maintain ongoing discussions with Emirati officials to ensure that US-supplied defence equipment is securely maintained, used in compliance with international human rights standards, and adheres to the laws of armed conflict.
As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to evolve, the implications of this arms deal will remain a significant aspect of US foreign policy in the region.
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