U.S. announces $60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia

2010-10-21 01:03:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Defense Department on Wednesday notified the U.S. Congress that it intends to sell around $60 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia.

The sale is allegedly intended to help Saudi Arabia to confront the current and emerging regional threats. This would be the largest U.S. arms deal ever and will support at least 75,000 jobs as part of the $60 billion package.

The U.S. Congress has 30 days or until November 20 to reject the sale. If it goes on, the Defense Department will engage in detailed talks with the Arabian kingdom on the contracts that could last up to ten years. The Congress will review the proposed business in its November 15-19 sessions.

The $60 billion sale involves new F-15 fighter jets and three types of helicopters, Apaches, Black Hawks and Little Birds. In 1992, Saudi Arabia made its last significant U.S. weapons purchase for 72 F-15 jets. This transaction was valued at $9 billion. The final installment of such order was delivered on November 1999.

"The proposed sale represents a powerful symbol of the robust strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia," said Colin Kahl, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. believe that the Middle East region is heavily threatened by the terrorist organizations, Iran and other Arab countries. The U.S. has pushed for some time for increasing the defense capabilities of Saudi Arabia by anti-missile defense systems and upgrading its naval forces.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-21

Cannot afford world peace, the weapon business has to go on!

Really makes Bout look like small potatoes, don't they?

And exporting to 'bad' government and groups isn't really a consearn...

Really makes Bout look like small potatoes, don't they?

And exporting to 'bad' government and groups isn't really a consearn...

Yes, stop the arms deal with Israel!