BEIRUT — The U.S. declaration that the United Arab Emirates is officially America’s second-ever major defense partner could bring the two friendly nations closer on military issues and boost the UAE’s struggling efforts to join the international F-35 program, analysts told Breaking Defense.
“Recognizing the deepening U.S.-UAE security partnership, cooperation in advanced technology and procurement, and shared interest in conflict prevention and de-escalation, the President [Joe] “President Biden today recognized the United Arab Emirates, joined only by India, as a major defense partner of the United States, further strengthening defense cooperation and security in the Middle East, East Africa, and Indian Ocean regions,” the White House said in a statement on Monday.
Overall, Bilal Saab, head of US Middle East practice at consulting firm TRENDS, told Breaking Defense that the new arrangement “will authorize the US bureaucracy, primarily the Department of Defense, to open new doors for military cooperation between the two countries in the areas of joint military exercises, training, arms transfers, intelligence and information sharing, interoperability, defense innovation, and defense industry.”
The White House announcement did not provide details, but Saab said the designation could have clear implications for defense programs, particularly the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
“Discussions regarding the acquisition of the F-35 platform have intensified,” Saab said.
Like other Gulf states, the UAE has been interested in acquiring US fifth-generation fighter jets, and several years ago was in the midst of a $20 billion-plus deal for dozens of them along with MQ-9 Reaper drones. But the procurement fell apart, in part due to US concerns over the UAE’s use of Chinese wireless technology. In October 2023, a State Department official told Breaking Defense that “active dialogue” was ongoing and that the US “continues to[ed] “We remain ‘committed’ to the sale while continuing discussions to ensure a clear mutual understanding regarding the UAE’s obligations and actions before, during and after delivery.”
Christian Alexander, a senior fellow at the United Arab Emirates-based Labdan Institute for Security and Defense Studies, echoed Saab, saying the UAE is now in a good position to acquire F-35 fighter jets and other systems.
“As a major defense partner, the UAE could potentially gain access to advanced U.S. defense platforms,” he said. “The UAE could also more easily acquire missile defense systems such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and upgrade its Patriot missile defense system to better defend against threats in the region.”
He added that military cooperation could take place in the areas of cybersecurity and AI, as U.S. capabilities could boost the UAE’s efforts. The White House said in a separate statement on Monday that the two countries plan to advance cooperation on AI and related technologies.
The UAE’s deepening ties with the United States, which already hosts U.S. troops at Al Dhafra Air Base outside Abu Dhabi, comes at a time of heightened security tension in the Middle East, as aggressive Israeli operations in Gaza and now Lebanon continue to threaten to escalate into a broader regional conflict. The UAE has seen sporadic drone attacks over the past few years that the government blames on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
“The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, require greater cooperation in providing humanitarian assistance and resolving conflicts. The Biden administration appears intent on leveraging its partnership with the UAE to promote stability in these volatile regions,” Alexander said.
Still, Alexander said it was unclear whether the new designation would move the UAE further away from Beijing’s control. Cooperation in non-defense areas would likely continue, he said.
“The UAE has pursued a strategy of maintaining diverse alliances to protect its national security and economic interests. Even as defense cooperation with the US strengthens, the UAE is likely to continue engaging with China and Russia to balance its international relations,” he concluded.
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