US plans to sell 50 F-35 jets to UAE

The United States has decided to sell its renowned F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Arab News Agency, the White House informed Congress about the sale of the aircraft to the UAE, in which the White House told the head of the Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee that the United States would sell 50 F-35 aircraft to the Emirates.

Elliott Engel, a Democratic congressman who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned the US government's decision, saying the move would change the military balance in the Gulf and will affect Israel's, one of the closest US ally military superiority.

The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee called on Congress to take a closer look at the sale of aircraft as the F-35 is a ‘game-changer’ at the espionage level and a rush sale of aircraft is not in anyone's interest. The committee asked congress to ensure that Israel's standard military superiority is maintained.

The UAE, has long expressed its intention in acquiring the stealthy F-35 jets and was promised a chance to buy them in a side deal when it agreed to normalize relations with Israel.