https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a...jets-z2bzfh3nm
Anger at Arab ‘deal’ for US fighter jets
Israeli euphoria at an agreement to establish diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates was replaced by anger yesterday after it was claimed that the Gulf state was close to signing a deal for US F-35 stealth fighter jets. Israeli hawks fear that the sale could end its military dominance in the Middle East.
Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, denied that he had agreed to advanced arms sales to the UAE in the negotiations with the Trump administration, which brokered the agreement. His senior ministers said they did not know the details and the Americans did
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Israeli media reported that after its agreement to establish diplomatic relations with Israel the UAE would now be allowed to purchase the F-35 stealth jet, the most advanced military aircraft being produced in the US, which is in operational use with Israel and Britain, as well as advanced drones.
The UAE, which has a defence procurement budget assessed at £18 billion, much of which is spent on US arms, has been asking to buy the F-35 since at least 2017 but had been rebuffed by the US.
Mr Netanyahu said: “Israel did not give any agreement to any arms deals between the UAE and the US. On the contrary, the US repeatedly promised it is committed to ensuring Israel’s qualitative edge.”
However, he did not deny that such a deal could take place and the fact that he kept the negotiations with the UAE to himself, not updating senior ministers before Thursday’s announcement, has fuelled speculation.