Trump White House proposes sale of 50 F-35s to United Arab Emirates
The proposed sale includes 18 MQ-9B weapons-ready drones and air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
The US State Department formally notified Congress on Tuesday of the Trump administration’s intent to sell dozens of F-35 advanced fighter jets and 18 armed MQ-9B drones to the United Arab Emirates.
“Today, I directed the Department to formally notify Congress of our intent to authorize the UAE’s proposed purchase of several advanced capabilities that are worth $23.37 billion,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press release.
The proposed sale includes up to 50 F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, 18 MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles, targeting technology and some $10 billion worth of munitions, including 1,500 Hellfire missiles and 800 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles.
If approved by Congress, the sale would mark the first ever transfer of the US fifth-generation stealth fighter to an Arab country and the most advanced arms transfer to date to the UAE.
