Pentagon to notify Congress of $60bn Saudi arms deal

[4me2]

Pentagon to notify Congress of $60bn Saudi arms deal



Black Hawk helicopters, like this US model, are expected to be part of the deal


The Pentagon is set to notify the US Congress of a $60bn (£39bn) weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, reports quoting US officials say.
The deal to sell advanced military aircraft to the Saudi kingdom is aimed at shoring up an Arab ally against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The arms deal, set to support 75,000 US jobs, would be among the largest yet.
The notification will set off a review where lawmakers could push for changes, impose conditions or block the trade.
Pentagon spokesman Col Dave Lapan said Congressional notification was expected within "the next week or so" but he declined to comment on details of the proposed package.


The BBC's Paul Adams in Washington says the administration is unlikely to encounter much opposition to the sale of weaponry to a traditional ally and will probably argue that it is all part of a strategy to bolster friendly Arab governments in the face of growing strategic threats from Iran.
Off the record, defence officials say the administration will authorise the sale of dozens of aircraft, including F-15 fighter jets and Apache, Black Hawk and Little Bird helicopters.
Saudi Arabia would reportedly initially purchase about $30bn worth of aircraft, but could buy more at a later date.


Balance of power

An unnamed defence official told Reuters news agency that the deal would give Saudi Arabia a "whole host of defensive capabilities to defend the kingdom".
He added that Israel, a firm ally of the US, was "fairly comfortable" with the arrangement.
Meanwhile state department spokesman Philip Crowley said that the US "would do nothing that would upset the current balance (of power) in the region".
The administration is required to notify the Congress in advance of arms sales. Lawmakers have 30 days from notification to object to the deal.
Congressional officials warned that lawmakers could try to block the deal, but analysts say the prospect of job growth in the US defence industry could be another encouragement for lawmakers to approve it.
The UK sold major combat aircraft to the Saudis in 1980s, when the US chose not to.
Saudi Arabia is one of the top buyers of weapons in the developing world, purchasing an estimated $36.7bn in arms between 2001 and 2008, according to the Congressional Research Service.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11288683

[4me2]

US To Sell Warplanes Worth £40bn To Saudis


The Obama administration is seeking approval for a proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia, worth £40bn ($60bn), which could become the biggest in history.

US Air Force F-15 fighter jets will be sold as part of the deal

US officials have said the deal, which will soon be put to Congress, is being considered to help counter the rise of Iran as a powerful nation in the Middle East and Gulf region.
The agreement would enable Saudi Arabia, one of the richest countries in the world, to buy US-made helicopters and fighter jets to upgrade their current fleet of warplanes.
Iran is now seen by the West, Gulf Arab states and Israel as a significant and growing threat as it continues to improve and test its weapons.
The Pentagon plans to notify Congress of the proposed Saudi sale within about a week, according to spokesman Col. David Lapan.
The deal will be a major boost to US firm Boeing, which is expected to supply the Saudis with 84 new F-15 fighter jets and upgrade another 70 of them.
It also includes 70 of Boeing's Apache attack helicopters and 36 of its AH-6M Little Birds.
The deal will provide and protect jobs in the US and it is also hoped it will improve relations with Arab allies.
Some Congress members are expected to reject the sale but not enough to block it.
Other critics are likely to be concerned about the increased militarisation of the Middle East.
Defence officials quoted in the Wall Street Journalsaid Saudi Arabia is initially expected to select about £19.5bn ($30bn) worth of aircraft with the opportunity to buy more later.
Washington also plans to provide Israel with £19.5bn ($30bn) worth of military assistance over 10 years.


http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wor..._Worth_%2460bn