Young Statement on UAE Military Equipment Sale

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today issued the following statement regarding his vote to allow the sale of the F-35 and other military equipment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE):

“This year’s agreement between the UAE and Israel, the Abraham Accords, marks a historic step forward toward peace and stability in the Middle East. The next chapter of Middle East security is being written and today’s Senate action to allow the sale of the F-35 and other advanced military equipment is a symbol of our deepening security relationship with our friends in the UAE. Sales like these are an important tool in our country’s foreign policy, not just because we further interoperability between our armed forces, but we also advance American values.

“However, our foreign policy and our global security posture must be approached holistically. We must all remember that peace and stability is not achieved through military means alone. We must not on the one hand sell arms while simultaneously aiding terror recruitment efforts by imposing new aid restrictions and furthering food insecurity in Yemen. As we advance these sales to deter Iran and others who seek to destabilize the Middle East, we must also take action to provide humanitarian relief to the millions who are on the brink of famine in Yemen and continue fighting for our values around the globe.”