US-UAE Negotiating F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet Sale Aiming for December Agreement

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It is reported that the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are currently negotiating the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets.

According to major foreign media on the 22nd (local time), the two countries are aiming to reach an agreement by December 2, the UAE's Federal National Day. The UAE, considered the closest ally of the United States among Middle Eastern countries, has long shown interest in purchasing the F-35.

In particular, the UAE recently agreed to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel through U.S. mediation, raising expectations that it may be able to purchase the F-35 as a result.

The F-35 is the latest stealth fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin and has never been sold to any Arab country. Israel, a neighboring country, currently possesses 24 units.

The Donald Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to sell the F-35 to the UAE without conflicting with Israel.

Israel's position is that U.S. arms sales should not undermine Israel's "military superiority" in the Middle East region.

For this reason, Israel publicly opposed the U.S. plan to sell the F-35 to the UAE when it was first reported.

In response, it is reported that the U.S. is studying ways to make the F-35s sold to the UAE more detectable by Israeli radar.

Regarding this, it is unclear whether the U.S. plan involves modifying the F-35 aircraft to be more visible on radar or providing Israel with high-performance radar systems.

Foreign media reported that for the U.S. to sell the F-35 to the UAE, several political obstacles and regulations must be overcome first, and members of the U.S. Congress have warned that it is unlikely the deal will be finalized within this year.

Additionally, foreign media forecast that it will take several years before the F-35s are actually delivered.