WASHINGTON—The Obama administration notified Congress it plans to sell Saudi Arabia up to $60 billion in advanced military aircraft, including F-15s equipped with bunker-buster bombs that Washington sees as part of an effort to contain Iran.
The package, the largest overseas U.S. arms deal to date, "supports our wider regional security goals in the Gulf" without undercutting ally Israel's military edge, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro said.
"We want to make sure that they have the tools that they need to be able to defend themselves," he said of Saudi Arabia, a key regional ally. The kingdom had no immediate comment.
Some details of the proposed sale have been known for months, but the inclusion of up to 1,000 one-ton bombs known as Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMs, and other guided bombs in the package, was revealed in notifications to Congress on Wednesday.
The inclusion of these weapons would enhance the capability of Saudi Arabia's air force to bomb hardened bunkers and tunnels, such as those that the West believes are used by Iran to hide nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The administration said Saudi Arabia would be authorized to buy as many as 84 new F-15 advanced fighters and to upgrade up to 70 existing Saudi F-15s to a more advanced configuration.
Congress could block or amend the sale, but officials said that isn't expected. A small group of lawmakers said they will try to block the deal, arguing it would undercut Israel and support a government with a poor human-rights record.
The package includes an upgraded fleet of attack helicopters that U.S. officials say could be used by the Saudis to bolster border security with Yemen—home to an al Qaeda affiliate of increasing concern to the U.S.—and protect key oil installations.
U.S. officials said the $60 billion figure is an estimate. Saudi Arabia is expected to commit initially to spending about $30 billion, but could come back later to purchase the rest.
Under the package, the Saudis would upgrade its attack helicopter fleet with up to 70 AH-64D Apache Longbows, 72 UH-60 Black Hawks, 36 AH-6i light attack helicopters and 12 MD-530F light turbine helicopters.
The F-15s would be equipped with advanced radar systems and could be armed with an array of missiles—up to 600 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles used to knock out enemy air defenses, 400 Harpoons used against ships, and 300 air-to-air Sidewinders. The number of 2,000-pound guided bombs in the package tops 3,000.
The package could be followed by separate arms deals to provide the Saudis with naval and ballistic missile defense upgrades worth an additional $30 billion or more, officials said.
Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat, accused the administration of trying to slip the Saudi deal through Congress while lawmakers were on recess to campaign for the November election. "It's bad policy that now is further tainted by a shameful process," said Mr. Weiner, a leading critic of arms sales to the Saudis. "This deal would destabilize the Middle East and undermine the security of Israel, our one true ally in the region."
Congress will return, however, before the 30-day review period ends. And while Israeli defense officials expressed some misgivings about the sales, they have said they won't oppose it. U.S. officials said Israel was consulted as the package took shape. U.S. officials say the Israelis are increasingly comfortable with the sale because of the planes will not have certain long-range weapons systems. Also, the Israelis are in line to buy a more advanced fighter, the F-35, which could start arriving in Israel in 2015, the same year the Saudis would start to get the F-15s.
Boeing Co., which makes the F-15s and the Apaches, says the Saudi package would directly or indirectly support 77,000 jobs across 44 states, according to U.S. officials.
It is unclear how many jobs, if any, would be supported by the Saudi purchase of Black Hawks, made by Sikorsky. Production levels are already high at Sikorsky, which is owned by United Technologies Co.
8 comments:
What I'm taking away from this story is that we not only want to bolster Saudi Arabia's security but also enable them to kick the butts of whoever they so choose. I mean $60 billion is a ton to spend on weapons. (It's actually quite a few tons, but I don't want to do the math.)So, the question becomes: Do we care about Saudi Arabia's security, or are we secretly at funding/starting a war with Iran?
Is this like giving someone a gun and hope they won't shoot you in the back? This is like suicide giving Saudia Arabia all this military power. Even though this may further boast our economy, but is it worth it? Maybe not when you get shot.
By selling these F-15s and other aircraft to Saudi Arabia, I feel that this will definitely help us with the conflicts against Iraq and Iran. I understand that one of the big concerns is that this might threaten Israel too, however they will have more advanced technology if this threat does come to reality.
Nice to know that there is something made in America that other countries would pay top dollar for. However, we are giving them weapons! I thought there were enough weapons in the world. It really is a joke that America is selling weapons to improve the economy while at the same time looking to stop weapon dealers from doing this as a result of destruction to other countries. Divide and Conquer...Is that the only thing going on? I really do like all the wonderful things that USA and its own people have to offer. People try to do the right things and try to be honest
(constitutionally as well).The sense of making money and business in USA with other countries and resources is well developed, but I still don't understand these inconsistencies.
Worrying about our "one true ally" Israel alone will not stabilize the region as focusing only on the odd duck in the Middle East just gives many of the Islamic nations more about America to detest. Giving more weapons options to semi-allies and developing stronger relationships with Saudi will, however, help the situation as the leadership there does not foster terrorism like some of its neighbors.
uhmmm why are we desiding to give saudi arabia our weapons?? i think thats a stupid idea yeah the money will help us a little to get us out of debt but we could bomb iran too saudi doesnt have to do it and w our weapons too.
I think that we may be missing the real problem with this weapons deal. Yes, Saudi Arabia is an ally of ours but we forget that there are many muslims living in Saudi Arabia. Yemen is next door and like the post says, there is a growing al-Qaeda organization there. If Saudi Arabia decided that they didnt like us so much anymore, or if those weapons somehow made their way across the border into Yemen, then we, like the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 80s, would have our weapons turned against us.
I have just twelve words to say, WHAT THE HECK IS OBAMA THINKING, THIS IS THE STUPIDEST IDEA EVER. see? i can count, but this is a dumb move, "Hey Joe I wonder what would happen if we gave the middle east some multi billion dollar, highly advanced weapons?" " I dont know B, lets find out." I'll tell you what happens "uhh whered the nuke go george, where did it go?" I'll tell you where it went, its headded straight for the pretty little house on the hill. Think, dude, you cant risk that, be cause how hard do you think it will be for the iranians to steal it? not that hard, look what they did 9/11. well im off of my soap box wait one more thing, TAKE THE FRIGGIN WEAPONS BACKK OBAMA!!!!!
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