FOR years, the UAE set its eyes on F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter jet manufactured by American aerospace company Lockheed Martin.
The advanced fighter jet prides itself on its air superiority, with only 20 countries close to the United States allowed to purchase the aircraft.
UAE’s hopes sparked after it became one of the major foreign arms sales initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump after Abu Dhabi agreed to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 The Gulf state plans to buy 50 F-35 fighter jets from the U.S.
However, this initiative by Trump when the Biden administration took over has put a temporary delay on several major foreign arms sales including those of UAE.
Meanwhile, the UAE’s growing interest in China’s Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter jet made it a potential candidate to replace the F-35 fighter jets as the Gulf nation wants to meet its military needs in light of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
