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- Saudi Nears F35 Jets; Abu Dhabi Spent £20B in UK; Qatar Airways Exits Cathay Stake
Saudi Nears F35 Jets; Abu Dhabi Spent £20B in UK; Qatar Airways Exits Cathay Stake
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Happy Thursday everyone!
Saudi Arabia’s push to acquire up to 48 US-made F-35 fighter jets has cleared a key Pentagon review, bringing the multibillion-dollar deal closer to approval ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Washington visit. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has more than doubled its £10 billion UK investment pledge, channeling over £20 billion into British assets despite recent diplomatic strains, signaling continued confidence in London’s long-term economic prospects. In aviation news, Qatar Airways has sold its entire 9.57% stake in Cathay Pacific, ending an eight-year investment and refocusing on smaller, high-growth airline holdings, while maintaining strategic ties through the Oneworld alliance.
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Saudi Arabia’s F-35 Fighter Jet Deal Moves Closer To Approval Amid Strengthening US Ties
What It’s About?
Saudi Arabia’s bid to acquire up to 48 US-made F-35 fighter jets has cleared a key Pentagon review, moving the multibillion-dollar deal closer to approval. The development comes ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, reflecting the Trump administration’s push to expand defense cooperation with Riyadh and deepen bilateral security ties.
Why It Matters?
If finalized, the sale would mark a major shift in US defense policy, as Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern nation operating F-35s under Washington’s commitment to preserve its military edge. The deal underscores Riyadh’s ambitions to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran, as part of Vision 2030’s broader security and modernization goals.
What’s Next?
The proposed sale now moves to the secretary-level review stage before requiring final approvals from the US Cabinet, President Trump, and Congress. Lawmakers could still oppose the deal over past human rights concerns, but with Washington prioritizing major arms exports, analysts say approval remains likely — potentially reshaping the region’s defense balance.
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Abu Dhabi Channeled £20 Billion in UK, Surpassing £10 Billion Pledge Made in 2021
What It’s About?
Abu Dhabi has surpassed its £10 billion investment pledge to the UK, channeling over £20 billion into British assets since 2021 under the Sovereign Investment Partnership between Mubadala Investment Co. and the UK Office for Investment, Bloomberg exclusively reported. The original commitment, set to run through 2026, has already been exceeded as the emirate continues deploying capital into key sectors despite diplomatic friction and regulatory hurdles.
Why It Matters?
The milestone highlights Abu Dhabi’s long-term confidence in the UK economy amid global competition for Gulf capital. While tensions persist — from the Telegraph ownership row to political sensitivities around Sheikh Mansour’s holdings — major UAE entities, including Mubadala, E&, and ADIA, continue investing strategically in undervalued British assets. The moves align with the UAE’s global diversification push and the UK’s urgent need to attract foreign investment post-Brexit.
What’s Next?
Despite ongoing political and regulatory challenges, relations between London and Abu Dhabi appear to be stabilizing under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both sides are signaling renewed cooperation, with a UK-Gulf trade deal reportedly nearing completion. Analysts expect future UAE investments to focus on technology, education, and infrastructure — sectors aligning with both countries’ long-term economic transformation agendas.
Qatar Airways Sells Its Entire Cathay Pacific Stake After Eight Years
What It’s About?
Qatar Airways has agreed to sell its entire 9.57% stake in Cathay Pacific Airways, ending an eight-year investment in the Hong Kong-based carrier. Cathay will repurchase the shares for HK$6.97 billion (USD 896 million), pending approval from at least 75% of its shareholders, according to a stock exchange filing. The sale marks Qatar’s exit as the airline’s third-largest shareholder.
Why It Matters?
The divestment concludes a rare cross-regional airline investment that began in 2017, when Qatar became the first Middle Eastern carrier to hold a significant stake in an East Asian airline. The move underscores Cathay’s confidence in its post-pandemic recovery and Hong Kong’s position as a global aviation hub, while signaling Qatar’s evolving investment strategy amid shifting global travel dynamics.
What’s Next?
Following the buyback, Cathay’s public float will drop to 20.53%, below Hong Kong’s 25% minimum, though regulators have granted a waiver. Qatar Airways said it remains committed to its partnership with Cathay through the Oneworld alliance, while focusing future investments on smaller, high-growth airlines such as Virgin Australia, SA Airlink, and RwandAir.
🦄 World of Startups
WTDCare, a Saudi healthtech platform offering non-emergency and special needs medical transportation, raised an undisclosed pre-seed round led by Riyadh Angel Investors.
Syd Life AI, a UAE-based preventive health platform using its proprietary LQM and LQI models, expanded to the US through a $1 billion exclusive partnership with Altius.
MidLyr, a US-Egypt AI infrastructure startup building compliant automation tools for financial institutions, raised $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Silicon Badia.
rmz.ai, a Saudi generative AI platform developing AI agents for content creation and campaign management, raised $100,000 in a pre-seed round from Beyond.xyz.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Replit founder Amjad Masad congratulates Zohran Mamdani after historic win.
All aboard Saudi Arabia’s “Dream of the Desert” — the Kingdom’s first ultra-luxury train unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.
Saudi delivery app Shgardi has shut down after five years in operation — a sign of how fierce the Kingdom’s delivery wars have become.
🔍In other news…
UAE plans 4th national highway under AED170-billion project to tackle rising traffic
Qatar to Invest $3.5 Billion in Egypt Mediterranean Resort
QIA to announce major tourism investment package in Egypt’s North Coast, says Egypt PM Madbouly
Billionaire Developer Nick Candy and British luxury hotel operator Maybourne have discussed UAE projects
