The US $60 billion Saudi arms deal 15, September 2010
Posted by thegulfblog.com in American ME Relations, Saudi Arabia.Tags: America arms dealer, American Saudi arms deal, Apache, Black Hawk, F-15, F15 PHOTO, F15 picture, Largest arms deal, Little Bird
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America is to sell around $60 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia in the largest deal of its kind in US history. 84 F-15 fighter jets; 70 Apache, 72 Black Hawk and 36 Little Bird helicopters; and upgrading up to 70 existing fighters are just some of the bits and pieces involved in the deal.
Ordinarily, such a deal would arouse significant angst and anger in Congress, fearing that such tech could one day be used against Israel. However, with the Iranian threat looming large – as far as America and in particular Congress and Israel are concerned – selling such high-tech weaponry to Saudi is seen as a good hedge.
Still, there are suggestions that the F-15s will not be fitted with the very latest technology, in deference to Israel. And Tel Aviv will, by the expected delivery times, have the more capable F-35s.
The Gulf blog 