State Department approves sale of $1.4B worth of helicopters, F-16 parts to UAE ahead of Trump’s visit

The U.S. State Department has given the green light for a potential sale of over $1.4 billion in helicopters and F-16 fighter jet parts to the United Arab Emirates. This announcement comes just before President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle Eastern nation.

The proposed sale includes $1.32 billion for CH-47 F Chinook helicopters and $130 million for F-16 parts, as stated by the State Department on Monday. The agency has already informed Congress about the potential sale, although there has been some opposition from Democrats who are hesitant to approve such a deal.

President Trump is scheduled to visit the UAE as the final stop on his four-day trip to the Middle East, which also includes visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The UAE has pledged to invest $1.4 trillion in U.S. projects over the next decade, focusing on areas such as semiconductors, manufacturing, energy, and artificial intelligence.

Arms transfers and defense trade are overseen by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the State Department. The State Department reviews deals requested by other countries to ensure they align with U.S. government objectives. If approved, Congress is notified of the sale, and lawmakers have the option to reject it. However, if they do not object, negotiations proceed.

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has expressed concerns about arms sales to countries engaged in business with President Trump. He cited the UAE’s investment in Trump’s cryptocurrency venture and Qatar’s gift of a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to serve as Air Force One. Murphy called for a full Senate debate and vote on any arms deal involving nations with ties to Trump.

In the past, lawmakers like Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Sara Jacobs have opposed arms sales to the UAE due to concerns about the country supplying weapons to groups accused of war crimes. Despite previous attempts by Congress to block arms sales to Gulf nations, Trump has utilized emergency provisions to push through deals without a review period.

Overall, the sale of helicopters and F-16 parts to the UAE has sparked debate and raised ethical considerations among lawmakers. As President Trump prepares for his visit to the Middle East, the decision to approve this arms deal will continue to be a topic of discussion in both Congress and the public sphere.