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<\/p>\nDefenceTalk<\/p>\n
The United Arab Emirates threatened Tuesday to scrap its mega-purchase of US F-35 fighter jets, protesting stringent conditions amid Washington\u2019s concerns on China, but both sides said they hoped to resolve the dispute.<\/p>\n
President Joe Biden has pledged greater oversight over the state-of-the-art planes after the $23 billion arms package was pushed through by his predecessor Donald Trump in what was seen as a reward for the Gulf State\u2019s recognition of Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UAE has informed the US that it will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35,\u201d an Emirati official said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions and cost\/benefit analysis led to the re-assessment,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n
The statement comes days after the UAE agreed to buy a record 80 Rafale warplanes from France for 14 billion euros ($15.8 billion) during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, indicating the oil-rich Gulf state has alternatives.<\/p>\n
But the Emirati official said that the United States \u201cremains the UAE\u2019s preferred provider\u201d for advanced equipment and, despite the declared suspension of F-35 talks, an Emirati delegation is visiting Washington for talks this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hopeful that we can work through any outstanding issues,\u201d a State Department spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it was customary to discuss requirements before transferring technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese end-user requirements and protection of US defense equipment are universal, non-negotiable and not specific to the UAE,\u201d Kirby said.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers from Biden\u2019s Democratic Party unsuccessfully sought to stop the sale, pointing in part to the Gulf state\u2019s participation in the bloody Saudi-led offensive in Yemen and its support for Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar.<\/p>\n
US officials have also been increasingly concerned by China\u2019s involvement with the US ally, including work at a port near the capital Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the impasse, said that the United States was insisting on conditions to make sure the F-35s would not be vulnerable to Chinese espionage.<\/p>\n
Leading the bid a year ago to stop the sale, Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voiced alarm at Emirati discussions on military cooperation with both China and Russia.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould we not have a definitive commitment from the UAE that that will not move forward?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
The F-35s are prized for stealth capabilities and versatility with the capacity to gather intelligence, strike deep into enemy territory and engage in air duels.<\/p>\n
US ally Israel historically objected to Arab states obtaining the F-35s, seeking to maintain its regional edge, but gave its blessing after the UAE last year became the first new Arab country in decades to recognize the Jewish state.<\/p>\n
Israel and the UAE have found common cause on concerns about Iran, although a top Emirati official this month visited Iran, where officials voiced hope for smoother ties.<\/p>\n