US, UAE Establish Major Defense Partnership, Launch Joint R&D Initiatives

The United States and the United Arab Emirates have formalized a major defense partnership through a Letter of Intent signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei. This agreement, building on the UAE's designation as a major defense partner by the Biden administration, aims to enhance military-to-military cooperation, joint capability development, and long-term defense alignment. A strategic initiative between the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit and the UAE's Tawazun Council was launched to boost joint research, development, and industrial partnerships in defense sectors. Additionally, the UAE was welcomed into the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program via a partnership with the Texas National Guard, focusing on military modernization and cooperation in air and missile defense, cybersecurity, disaster response, and operational planning. The partnership institutionalizes a decades-long relationship anchored in mutual trust and shared regional security interests and may accelerate the UAE's access to advanced U.S. military hardware. The deal follows President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the Gulf and comes amid some congressional concerns over the UAE's involvement in regional conflicts.