Abdali
Senator (1k+ posts)

U.S. Saudi arms deal up to 60 billion over 10 years.
The Obama administration will include attack helicopters as part of an expanded arms deal with Saudi Arabia. In total the deal could be as much as 60 billion over a decade. These sales are part of a strategy begun under the Bush administration to beef up the militaries of Arab allies as a counterweight to Iran. As often happens Obama is ...
The Obama administration will include attack helicopters as part of an expanded arms deal with Saudi Arabia. In total the deal could be as much as 60 billion over a decade. These sales are part of a strategy begun under the BushBush administration to beef up the militaries of Arab allies as a counterweight to Iran. As often happens Obama is carrying on and even expanding a Bush policy. This is a variant on the old imperial policy of divide and rule. The Saudis represent the Sunnis while Iran the Shia. It will be interesting if the U.S. signs a similar deal with Iraq. Certainly Iraq's air force is virtually non-existent. However Iraq has a Shia majority and it may be that the U.S. is not all that anxious to see it become a military power again as it was under Hussein.
Israel had strong objections to some of the weapons that were originally contemplated as part of the deal but they have been left out. Although Israel considers Iran its arch enemy it is also wary of Saudi Arabia.
The deal includes plans to sell the Saudis about 70 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and up to 60 Longbow Apache attack helicopters together worth about $30 billion. A previously disclosed $30 billion deal included 84 Boeing Co. F-15s and upgrades to older fighters in the Saudis fleet.
Boeing makes the Apache. The Black Hawk is manufactured by United Technologies unit Sikorsky. Included also are flight simulators, spare parts and long-term support for the planes and helicopters,
It is still possible that some U.S. legislators may oppose the deal because of Israeli concerns even though there are already significant changes to calm Israel.Officials said the Saudi F-15s wouldn't be equipped with so-called standoff systems, advanced long-range weapons that can be attached to the fighter for use in offensive operations against land- and sea-based targets. Giving standoff systems to the Saudis would have crossed Israel's red line, an official in the region said. However the deal will also be a great motivator for Israel to buy even more advanced weaponry from the U.S.
The Saudi deal could increase pressure on Israel to quickly commit to buying the F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, which Lockheed Martin Corp. could start delivering as early as 2015, around the same time the Saudis would begin to get new F-15s.
Because of U.S. refusal to provide Saudi Arabia weapon systems that Israel fears the Saudis have been also buying from European sources and even Russia.
With plenty of petro dollars Saudi Arabia has become a global top weapons buyer. It spent $36.7 billion worldwide on arms between 2001 and 2008, according to a Congressional Research Service report. The U.S. is also expanding arms sales to the UAE. All in all a great stimulus program for the military-industrial complex while making the Middle East a much more dangerous place.
Traitors among UMMAAAHH AL SAUDI ARABIA GHADDARS..