US-Saudi Weapons Sales Reach $60b.

US-Saudi Weapons Sales Reach $60b.

15/08/2010 The Obama administration plans to include attack helicopters in an expanded arms package for Saudi Arabia, swelling the size of the proposed deal to as much as $60 billion over 10 years, Wall Street Journal quoted officials familiar with the matter.

The deal would be the largest overseas U.S. arms sale, the officials said, though the size could change as the package is finalized, one official said.

A proposed U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia would include about 70 UH-60 Black Hawk attack helicopters, shown in Iraq in November 2009. The deal would also include up to 60 Longbow Apache attack helicopters. The package will also include flight simulators, spare parts and long-term support for the planes and helicopters, the officials said.

Negotiated largely in secret because of the sensitivities in the region, the sale is part of a strategy spearheaded by the George W. Bush administration and expanded by President Barack Obama to beef up the militaries of Arab allies as a counterweight to Iran, WSJ reported.

It said that the size and scope of the Saudi deal has stoked concerns in Israel that Washington risks undercutting Israel's military edge. Officials said some weapons systems strongly opposed by the Zionist entity won't be included in the package, assuaging some of Israel's concerns.

The Obama administration is expected to formally notify Congress next month about the deal. Lawmakers close to Israel could hold up parts of the sale or seek assurances of their own that Israel's military edge won't be compromised.

A senior U.S. defense official said of the Israeli response to the Saudi package: "There is a heightened anxiousness about their security situation, and it is not just because of Iran."

A senior U.S. defense official said the Joint Strike Fighter would be "the most stealthy, sophisticated and lethal tactical fighter in the sky," adding: "Quite simply, the F-15 will be no match for the F-35."

In additional to Saudi Arabia, the Obama administration has moved to sell sophisticated arms to the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states.



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