FMS package for UAE takes official shape
DSCA announces US intention to sell aircraft, UAVs and munitions, with an estimated total value of more than $23 billion
The US State Department on 10 November notified Congress that it intends to authorise FMS deals for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), confirming previous indications that the Middle Eastern country wants to buy F-35A Lightning II aircraft and MQ-9B Reaper UASs.
In all, the UAE expects to buy up to 50 F-35s for $10.4 billion, 18 Reapers for $2.97 billion and various air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions for $10 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) noted on its website.
‘This is in recognition of our deepening relationship and the UAE’s need for advanced defence capabilities to deter and defend itself against heightened threats from Iran,’ US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added in a statement.
Israel and the UAE in September 2020 agreed to normalise relations, paving the way for this deal.
Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney will be prime contractors for the F-35 sale.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, L3Harris and Leonardo will be involved in providing the MQ-9B. By improving ISR and other capabilities for the UAE, the provision of MQ-9Bs ‘will alter the basic military balance in the Arabian Gulf region by expanding the release of a weapons-ready Remotely Piloted Aircraft to the region’, the DSCA claimed.
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman will be the prime contractors in the air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions FMS (plus Lockheed Martin if the UAE decides to integrate any of this weaponry with its F-16s).
Pompeo sought to assuage Israeli concerns about providing the F-35 to an Arab country, claiming: ‘The proposed sale will make the UAE even more capable and interoperable with U.S. partners in a manner fully consistent with America’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge.’
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