AP sources: US to notify Congress Wednesday of multibillion-dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration is expected to notify Congress on Wednesday of a multibillion-dollar sale of fighter jets and military helicopters to Saudi Arabia, officials said Tuesday.

The State Department scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to announce the deal, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the notification had not yet been made.

The sale of as many as 84 new F-15 fighter jets and three types of helicopters, including the sleek Black Hawk and the missile-toting Apache, would be worth an estimated $60 billion. Pentagon officials have said they expect the Saudis initially would select about $30 billion worth of aircraft. Approval of the larger proposal would give the kingdom room to buy more warplanes later.

The deal, which has been in the works for months and was first revealed publicly in September, is designed to counter the rise of Iran as a regional power.


After the official notification to Congress, lawmakers would have 30 days to block the deal. Strong opposition from some lawmakers and some backers of Israel is considered likely, but is not expected to stop the sale.

Iran is now seen by Israel, the Gulf Arab states and the West as a significant and unpredictable threat that has changed the old calculus of the region's balance of power.

The U.S. is realigning its defense policies in the Persian Gulf as Iran improves the range and accuracy of missiles and other weapons that could threaten Israel or U.S. allies in Europe.

U.S. and other diplomats said Defense Secretary Robert Gates laid out the reasoning behind the proposed Saudi sale during meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in recent months.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/nationworld/sns-ap-us-saudi-arms,0,273013.story


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US Confirms $60 Billion Arms Sales Package for Saudi Arabia

The Obama administration announced plans Wednesday to sell up to $60 billion worth of advanced fighter aircraft, helicopters and related weapons systems to Saudi Arabia. The package is aimed at helping Saudi Arabia deal with potential threats from Iran and regional terrorism.

The outlines of the arms deal - the largest in U.S. history - had been known for some time, but the administration withheld an official announcement pending consultations with the U.S. Congress. Under its terms, the United States will provide Saudi Arabia with 84 advanced F-15 fighter planes with electronics and weapons packages tailored to Saudi needs. An additional 70 F-15's already in Saudi hands will be upgraded to match the capabilities of the new planes.

Saudi Arabia will purchase a huge fleet of nearly 200 Apache, Blackhawk and other U.S. military helicopters, along with a vast array of radar systems, anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, and guided bombs.

Officials put the total value of the sales package at as much as $60 billion but said it could be less if Saudi Arabia elects not to exercise purchase options over the 15 to 20 year span of the deal.

At a press event announcing the sale, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro said it reinforces the existing long-term U.S. military relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Shapiro said a potentially-nuclear armed Iran is one threat the package is designed to deter, but that there are others, including terrorist threats to Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, and border problems such as recent incursions of tribal militants from Yemen.

"It's not solely about Iran. It's about helping the Saudis with their legitimate security needs, and they have a number of legitimate security needs. They live in a dangerous neighborhood and we are helping them preserve and protect their security in a dangerous neighborhood against legitimate security threats," said Shapiro.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Alexander Vershbow said the buildup of Saudi capabilities could eventually reduce the need for U.S. military deployments in the Gulf region.

"When one looks at future challenges, having allies throughout the Gulf region who are inter-operable with U.S. forces, who are capable, who have trained together with our forces, it means we have partners and allies we can look to in future contingencies," said Vershbow. "So it means we may have to station fewer forces on a continuing basis in the region."

Vershbow said the United States has had high-level consultations with Israeli officials on the pending sale, and that Israel does not object to it.

Israel has long had U.S. F-15 fighters in its arsenal and recently has committed to purchase new F-35 strike fighter jets, which U.S. officials say will preserve Israel's qualitative military advantage in the Middle East.

The U.S. Congress could block the Saudi arms deal. Assistant Secretary Shapiro said, however, that contacts with key House and Senate leaders make administration officials confident that Congress will not be a barrier to the completion of the sale.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/US-Confirms-60-Billion-Arms-Sales-Package-for-Saudi-Arabia--105375438.html


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