US-Saudi fighter jet deal to help counter Iran
Source: Agencies |
December 31, 2011, Saturday
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THE sale of US$30 billion worth of F-15SA fighter jets to Saudi Arabia has been finalized, boosting the military strength of a key US ally in the Middle East to help counter Iran, according to the Obama administration.
Under the agreement, the US will send Saudi Arabia 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more. Production of the aircraft, which will be manufactured by Boeing Co, will support 50,000 jobs and have a US$3.5 billion annual economic impact in the US, the White House said on Thursday.
The sale is part of a larger US effort to realign its defense policies in the Persian Gulf to keep Iran in check. The announcement came as US officials weighed a fresh threat from Iran. Tehran warned this week it could disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf oil transport route, if Washington levies new sanctions targeting Iran's crude exports.
The fighter jet sale is part of a larger 10-year, US$60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia that also includes helicopters, a broad array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems, as well as radar warning systems and night-vision goggles. Congress gave the deal the go-ahead about a year ago.
The plan initially raised concerns from pro-Israeli lawmakers, but US officials reassured Congress that Israel's military edge would not be undercut by the sale.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter regional rivals. Tensions between them were further stoked earlier this year after the US accused Iran of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US in Washington.
Saudi Arabia is already the most militarily advanced of the Arab Gulf states, one of the richest countries in the world, and central to American policy in the Middle East. It is also vital to US energy security.
Under the agreement, the US will send Saudi Arabia 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more. Production of the aircraft, which will be manufactured by Boeing Co, will support 50,000 jobs and have a US$3.5 billion annual economic impact in the US, the White House said on Thursday.
The sale is part of a larger US effort to realign its defense policies in the Persian Gulf to keep Iran in check. The announcement came as US officials weighed a fresh threat from Iran. Tehran warned this week it could disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf oil transport route, if Washington levies new sanctions targeting Iran's crude exports.
The fighter jet sale is part of a larger 10-year, US$60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia that also includes helicopters, a broad array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems, as well as radar warning systems and night-vision goggles. Congress gave the deal the go-ahead about a year ago.
The plan initially raised concerns from pro-Israeli lawmakers, but US officials reassured Congress that Israel's military edge would not be undercut by the sale.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter regional rivals. Tensions between them were further stoked earlier this year after the US accused Iran of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US in Washington.
Saudi Arabia is already the most militarily advanced of the Arab Gulf states, one of the richest countries in the world, and central to American policy in the Middle East. It is also vital to US energy security.
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