• American approves sales in front of Trump’s visit this week.
• UAE will use these assets in search and rescue, says officials.
• US approves the sale of $ 130 million in F-16 fighter jet components.

Washington: US officials said Monday that the Ministry of State has approved the sale of $ 1.4 billion value of military aircraft and equipment to the United Arab Emirates, ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit this week.

The proposed sale to the Gulf State involves six CH-47F Chinook helicopters and other equipment to $ 1.32 billion that would “support foreign policy and national security in the United States,” said Ministry of State Department’s Bureau for Political Military Affairs in a statement.

“UAE will use these assets in search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support and terrorist operations,” they said.

“The United Arab Emirates is an important American partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.”

Trump is scheduled to visit the oil-rich states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE this week to discuss diplomatic needs in the Middle East along with large business agreements that can affect everything from defense and aviation to energy and artificial intelligence.

In addition to the helicopters, the Ministry of State has approved the sale of $ 130 million in the F-16 fighter jet components.

In a separate release, officials in the state department said that F-16 parts would improve the UAE’s “ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to meet its national defense requirements.”

Congress has 30 days to block the proposed sale.