The Biden administration goes ahead with a $ 23 billion arms sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that was approved under the Trump administration.
“We can confirm that the government intends to proceed with these proposed defense sales to the UAE, even as we continue to review details and consult with Emirati officials to ensure that we have developed mutual understanding regarding Emirati commitments. before, during and after delivery, ”a State Department spokesman told The Hill. HuffPost first reported the plan.
Former President Trump
Donald Trump Trump: McConnell ‘helpless’ to stop Biden from courting Romney in NRSC handing out Trump: not’ my preference ‘McConnell bypasses Trump calling him’ dumb son of ab ‘—-‘ MORE announced the sale for the first time last year after the UAE agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. The package includes 50 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, as many as 18 MQ-9B unmanned aerial systems and air-to-air and air-to-ground projectiles.
The State Department said in January that it was halting the sale so Biden’s administration could review the package.
The sale had angered Democrats who criticized the role of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen’s civil war against the Houthi rebels, which killed thousands of civilians and sparked a serious humanitarian crisis.
The State Department spokesman claimed that the Biden government would communicate with the UAE that the weapons should be used properly and that they would be delivered by 2025 at the earliest.
“The estimated delivery dates of these sales, if implemented, are scheduled for after 2025 or later. Therefore, we expect a robust and sustained dialogue with the UAE so that any defense transfer meets our mutual strategic objectives to build a stronger, interoperable and capable security partnership, ”said the spokesman.
“We will also continue to strengthen with the UAE and all recipients of US defense items and services that US-origin defense equipment must be adequately secured and used in a manner that respects human rights and fully complies with the laws of armed conflict,” the said. spokesperson 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 undermine Israel’s military advantage in the region. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu MORE and Defense Secretary Benny Gantz said they would not be against selling “certain weapon systems” in Abu Dhabi after the US vowed to provide unspecified upgrades to Israel’s armed forces.