In a revelation that has sparked significant geopolitical tension, US intelligence agencies discovered in 2022 that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided China with advanced technology to enhance the range of its air-to-air missiles. According to a report by The Financial Times, the technology was transferred by G42, the UAE’s leading AI group, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the country’s national security adviser. The technology was reportedly passed on to Chinese tech giant Huawei, which utilized it to upgrade China’s PL-15 and PL-17 missiles, potentially giving China a strategic advantage over the US in aerial combat. The technology included software to optimize missile flight, though it remains unclear whether G42 was aware it would be used by China’s People’s Liberation Army. While the UAE may not have violated any laws, the transaction has raised concerns among US officials about the implications for future cooperation with the Gulf state. The advanced nature of the technology could provide Chinese fighter jets with a tactical edge in potential conflicts, particularly over Taiwan. This incident has further strained US-UAE relations, which were already under pressure due to disagreements over Middle Eastern and European policies, as well as the UAE’s perceived alignment with China in technology and military projects. The Biden administration has previously expressed concerns about the UAE’s ties with China, including its involvement in a Chinese port project near Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, the UAE’s recent agreement to purchase advanced AI chips from Nvidia has faced delays, with US officials reportedly seeking to restrict direct access to these chips for G42.