Ahead of Trump's Visit, U.A.E. Approved to Buy Chinook Helicopters Worth $1.32B

The United Arab Emirates has been approved to purchase six CH-47F Chinook helicopters in a potential $1.32 billion deal, just days ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s anticipated visit to the Gulf nation.

The U.S. State Department formally notified Congress of the potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) on Monday. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the proposed sale supports U.S. foreign policy by bolstering the security of a key partner in the Middle East.

The request from Abu Dhabi includes six CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters with air-to-air refueling capability and extended-range fuel tanks. Also included are 16 T-55-GA-714A engines, 14 GPS/INS navigation systems with M-Code, and eight Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS), among other mission equipment.

The deal features 20 M240 machine guns, radar and laser warning receivers, secure communication radios, tactical navigation systems, and advanced imaging gear. Additional support elements such as training, logistics, spare parts, airworthiness support, and U.S. contractor services are also part of the package.

Boeing Helicopter Aircraft Company in Pennsylvania and Honeywell Engine Company in Arizona are the primary contractors.

The DSCA said the proposed sale will enhance the U.A.E.’s capability to conduct search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and counterterrorism operations.

The U.A.E.’s acquisition builds on its existing Chinook fleet, which includes 16 CH-47F helicopters purchased in 2009 for $2 billion and another 10 acquired in 2019 for $830 million, according to DSCA records. While there is no public indication that the new helicopters will replace older models, the addition of Block II variants points to a capability expansion, likely to meet the demands of regional operations requiring higher performance.

In a separate announcement, the State Department approved a $130 million FMS package to support the U.A.E.’s existing F-16 fleet. The sale includes components, spare parts, night vision equipment, software, publications, and repair support.

This package adds to a previously approved $40.9 million case that was below the congressional notification threshold.

Trump’s visit to three of the world’s richest nations

On Tuesday, Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia to begin a three-day Middle East tour, with stops in Qatar and the U.A.E. Gulf states are moving swiftly to secure U.S. ties during his term, pledging trillions in investments and aligning with his priorities on Gaza, Iran, and Ukraine.

Leading the push is the U.A.E., which has already invested $1 trillion in the U.S. and pledged $1.4 trillion more over the next decade, focusing on AI, semiconductors, manufacturing, and energy. But its AI ambitions face a hurdle: U.S. export controls on microchips, extended to the U.A.E. under Biden.

Gulf leaders now expect Trump to ease those rules.