UAE becomes the first Arab country to receive the US’ trusted A:5 export status.
Abu Dhabi: The United States has eased export controls on the UAE, expanding the country’s access to certain military equipment, commercial space technologies and advanced computing products, including artificial intelligence chips and servers.
The US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said it will move the UAE to Country Group A:5 under the Export Administration Regulations, while removing it from Country Groups D:3 and D:4. The move places the UAE among Washington’s most trusted strategic and technology partners, making it the first Arab nation to receive the designation.
The reclassification will allow the UAE Government and approved commercial entities to access eligible items without requiring individual export licences under the Strategic Trade Authorisation exception, provided they meet the required conditions and compliance measures.
The items covered under the new classification include certain Commerce-controlled military products, commercial satellites and spacecraft, as well as dual-use technologies used in sectors such as oil and gas production, desalination and civil nuclear energy.
The UAE’s removal from the two restricted country groups will also lift previous limitations on support for its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programmes.
The US Commerce Department said the measures would help meet the UAE’s commercial, infrastructure and defence needs while strengthening its ability to support US strategic interests in the Middle East. It added that the decision reflects the two countries’ longstanding military partnership and the UAE’s commitment to preventing the diversion or misuse of sensitive US technology.
The department also approved the UAE Government and selected companies to receive advanced computing products, including AI chips and servers, without individual export licences under the US-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation framework signed in May 2025.
Under the agreement, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to invest in expanding AI digital infrastructure in the United States through matching investments.
Commenting on the decision, Saeed Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State, said the move demonstrates international confidence in the UAE’s robust export control and compliance framework while reinforcing the country’s position as a trusted US partner in strategic technologies. He added that the decision reflects the UAE leadership’s long-term vision and its sustained investment in building a world-class national technology ecosystem.
Al Hajeri said the United States’ decision to place the UAE in Country Group A:5 while removing it from Country Groups D:3 and D:4 represents a major milestone in the strategic partnership between the two nations. He noted that the UAE is the first Arab country to receive the designation, joining America’s most trusted technology and strategic partners.
He said the classification reflects the strength of the UAE’s export-control and compliance framework and reinforces its role as a trusted partner in developing and deploying strategic technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced computing, semiconductors, quantum technologies, space systems, civil nuclear technologies and other advanced dual-use technologies.
Al Hajeri added that the new status will create opportunities for expanded cooperation in research and development, investment, resilient supply chains and access to advanced technologies with international partners.
He said the achievement reflects the vision of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose leadership has positioned trust, credibility and responsible innovation as key pillars of the UAE’s global partnerships.
