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Intel: Senators move to block US F-35, drone sale to UAE

A bipartisan group of US senators say they received no reply from the Pentagon or State Department after inquiring last month about implications of the sale of advanced weaponry to the United Arab Emirates.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (C) and US special representative on Iran Brian Hook (R) take in a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on September 19, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / POOL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced four separate resolutions intended to halt a major proposed sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets and armed drones to the United Arab Emirates.

Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Rand Paul, (R-KY) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced the measures on Wednesday opposing the sale, which they say could imperil the F-35’s highly classified technology and lead to an arms race in the Middle East.

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