WASHINGTON, May 13 (Alliance News): The United States has approved the sale of $1.4 billion worth of military aircraft and related equipment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), just days before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the Gulf region, officials said Monday.
The package includes six CH-47F Chinook helicopters and associated systems valued at $1.32 billion, along with an additional $130 million worth of F-16 fighter jet components.
The deal is aimed at bolstering the UAE’s capacity for search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism missions.
According to the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the arms deal supports “the foreign policy and national security of the United States” by reinforcing the UAE’s role as a critical ally in the Middle East.
“The United Arab Emirates is a vital US partner for political stability and economic progress in the region,” the department stated.
The announcement comes as President Trump prepares for a tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE this week, where he is expected to discuss regional diplomacy and explore business opportunities spanning defence, energy, artificial intelligence, and aviation.
The proposed arms transfer, though approved by the State Department, now enters a 30-day congressional review period during which lawmakers can block the sale if they choose.
In a separate statement, the department emphasized that the F-16 parts would enhance the UAE’s “ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
This military sale underscores Washington’s continued strategic and defence cooperation with Gulf allies, particularly amid growing regional tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
