The Biden administration is moving forward with a $ 23 billion arms sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) approved under the Trump administration.
“We can confirm that the Administration intends to move forward with these proposed defense sales in the UAE, even as we continue to review details and consult with UAE officials to ensure that we have developed mutual understandings regarding U.S. obligations before, during and after delivery, “a State Department spokesman told The Hill. HuffPost first reported on the plan.
Old President Trump
Donald Trump: Trump: McConnell “Powerless” to Prevent Biden from Packing Romney Court for NRSC Granting Trump: It’s Not “My Preference” McConnell ignores Trump who calls him “stupid son of b —-” MORE announced the sale last year after the UAE agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. The package includes 50 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, up to 18 MQ-9B drones and air-to-air and air-to-ground projectiles.
The State Department said in January that it was stopping the sale so the Biden administration could review the package.
The sale had angered Democrats who have criticized the role of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Yemen’s civil war against Houthi rebels, which has killed thousands of civilians and sparked a serious humanitarian crisis.
The State Department spokesman said the Biden administration would communicate with the UAE that the weapons should be used properly and would not be delivered until 2025 at the earliest.
“The estimated delivery dates for these sales, if implemented, are scheduled for after 2025 or later. Therefore, we anticipate a robust and sustained dialogue with the UAE so that any defense transfer meets our strategic objectives. reciprocated to build a stronger, interoperable and more capable security partnership, ”the spokesman said.
“We will also continue to reinforce with the UAE and all recipients of U.S. defense articles and services that the U.S.-origin defense team must be properly protected and used in a manner that respects human rights. and fully comply with the laws of armed conflict, ”the spokesman added.
In addition to the UAE’s role in Yemen, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed concern about the potential of the sale to erode Israel’s military advantage in the region. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE and Defense Minister Benny Gantz said they would not oppose selling “certain weapons systems” in Abu Dhabi after the U.S. pledged to provide unspecified improvements to Israel’s armed forces.