Analysis |Was there a China factor in UAE’s scuttling of F-35 jet deal with US?
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Spiking tensions between the United States and the United Arab Emirates over its close relationship with China are believed by analysts to be largely responsible for Abu Dhabi’s recent decision to freeze negotiations over the acquisition of F-35 warplanes and other advanced American weaponry.
The US$23.4 billion arms deal was approved in principle by former president Donald Trump’s administration soon after the Gulf state signed the Abraham Accords with Israel in August 2020 to normalise its relations with Tel Aviv.
The defence agreement would make the UAE the first Arab nation to acquire the F-35 stealth warplane, MQ-9B Reaper drones and other advanced American weaponry.
