Will the UAE reconsider the deal to purchase F-35 fighters with Trump’s possible return?

[The SC]

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Reuters quoted informed sources that the UAE will seek to revive a deal with Washington to purchase F-35 fighters and armed drones if Donald Trump returns to the White House in the November elections.

Trump signed the agreement in the final days of his term in 2021, but the UAE suspended the talks by the end of the year amid its inability to reach an agreement on terms with the administration of current President Joe Biden, according to Reuters.

Reuters quoted three sources as saying, “The UAE will seek to resume talks if Trump wins the upcoming presidential elections, and will ask his new administration to complete the original agreement.”

One source indicated to Reuters that the UAE will ask the new Trump administration to “fulfill” the 2021 agreement.

Trump had approved the $23 billion deal, which included MQ-9 Reaper drones and ammunition, after the UAE established relations with Israel in 2020 under an agreement brokered by the Trump administration.

On the other hand, a spokesman for the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that Abu Dhabi does not plan to discuss the purchase of F-35 fighters with Washington again.

The ministry’s spokesman responded to a request from TASS to comment on the matter, saying: “Our position has not changed.” The UAE authorities do not plan to resume negotiations on F-35 aircraft in the near future, regardless of the results of the US elections.”