WASHINGTON — The
UAE threatened
Tuesday to scrap its mega-purchase of F-35 fighter-jets, protesting
"onerous" conditions amid US concerns on China, but both sides hoped
to resolve the dispute.
اضافة اعلان
President
Joe Biden has pledged greater
oversight over the state-of-the-art planes after the $23 billion arms package
was pushed through by his predecessor
Donald Trump in what was seen as a reward
for the Gulf State's recognition of Israel.
"The UAE has informed the US that it
will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35," an Emirati official said.
"Technical requirements, sovereign
operational restrictions and cost/benefit analysis led to the
re-assessment," the official said.
The statement comes days after the UAE
agreed to buy a record 80 Rafale warplanes from France for 14 billion euros
($15.8 billion) during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, indicating the
oil-rich Gulf state has alternatives.
But the Emirati official said that the US
"remains the UAE's preferred provider" for advanced equipment and,
despite the declared suspension of F-35 talks, an Emirati delegation is
visiting Washington for talks this week.
"We are hopeful that we can work
through any outstanding issues," a State Department spokesperson said.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it was
customary to discuss requirements before transferring technology.
"These end-user requirements and
protection of US defense equipment are universal, non-negotiable and not
specific to the UAE," Kirby said.
Lawmakers from Biden's Democratic Party
unsuccessfully sought to stop the sale, pointing in part to the Gulf state's
participation in the bloody Saudi-led offensive in Yemen and its support for
Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar.
US officials have also been increasingly
concerned by
China's involvement with the US ally, including work at a port
near the capital Abu Dhabi.
The Wall Street Journal, which first
reported the impasse, said that the US was insisting on conditions to make sure
the F-35s would not be vulnerable to Chinese espionage.
The F-35s are prized for stealth
capabilities and versatility with the capacity to gather intelligence, strike
deep into enemy territory and engage in air duels.
US ally Israel historically objected to Arab
states obtaining the F-35s, seeking to maintain its regional edge, but gave its
blessing after the UAE last year became the first new Arab country in decades
to recognize Israel.
Israel and the UAE have found common cause
on concerns about
Iran, although a top Emirati official this month visited Iran
where officials voiced hope for smoother ties.
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