"The UAE has informed the US that it will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35," an Emirati official told CNN."Technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions, and cost/benefit analysis led to the re-assessment."
On Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby also said that the US was willing to work with the UAE to address both countries' concerns."The US partnership with the UAE is more strategic and more complex than any one weapons sale," Kirby said at a press gaggle."We will always insist, as a matter of statutory requirements and policy, on a variety of end-user requirements. That's typical.
"As we recently confirmed at the Dubai Air Show, the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to the proposed sales of F-35 aircraft, the MQ-9B, and munitions even as we continue consultations to ensure that we have a clear, mutual understanding of Emirati obligations and actions before, during and after delivery," a State Department spokesperson said.
"These are the conversations we have with the Emiratis about the choices they can make now to be sure they can be part of the F-35 program," Resnick added.