Intel: US, UAE talk F-35 as Russia pitches stealth aircraft
A top State Department official warned the Biden administration is "very serious" about imposing sanctions on partners that purchase Russian military hardware.
The Biden administration intends to move forward with plans to sell as many as 50 Lockheed-Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates, but expects discussions to continue with Abu Dhabi over its “obligations” about securing the aircraft’s technology.
Mira Resnick, the State Department’s top official for regional security affairs, told reporters today that she met with Emirati officials on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow to discuss the issue.
Resnick told Breaking Defense last week that the Biden administration continues to seek clarification from UAE officials on securing the fifth-generation fighter.
She offered no update on such assurances on Tuesday, but said high-level discussions will continue. “Those projected [transfer] dates are far in the future, so if implemented, we have some real time to consult,” she said. “We’ve had quite a robust and sustained dialogue with Emirati officials, and I can sort of leave it at that.”
