Aircraft
UAE Cleared to Buy F-35A Fighters and MQ-9B Drones
The United Arab Emirates has long sought the F-35 fighter in order to maintain its qualitative edge over its neighbor Iran.
U.S. Air Force F-35As have been operating from Al Dhafra in the UAE for some time. These aircraft from the 421st Fighter Squadron are seen at the base near Abu Dhabi in May, having deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force F-35As have been operating from Al Dhafra in the UAE for some time. These aircraft from the 421st Fighter Squadron are seen at the base near Abu Dhabi in May, having deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

On November 10 the U.S. State Department approved three possible Foreign Military Sales to the United Arab Emirates. The three packages, potentially worth in excess of $23 billion, cover the sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters, which the UAE has sought for some time, and the acquisition of the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones. The third approval is for a huge package of fighter weapons.


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