US announces 60-billion-dollar Saudi arms deal (Roundup)

Oct 20, 2010, 19:01 GMT

Washington - The United States announced an arms deal with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday worth up to 60 billion dollars that includes advanced fighter jets, helicopters, missiles and other weaponry and equipment.

The deal with one of the closest US allies in the Middle East will be implemented over 15 to 20 years and is the largest US arms deal ever.

The package is designed to help Riyadh cope with emerging threats in the region, Andrew Shapiro, the State Department's assistant secretary for political and military affairs, told reporters.

Shapiro acknowledged part of it is to offset Iran's growing military capabilities but was also aimed at dealing with other threats in 'a dangerous neighborhood.'

'It's not solely about Iran,' he said. 'It's about helping the Saudis with their legitimate security needs.'

The deal proposes the sale of 84 F-15 fighters jets to Saudi Arabia and upgrades older 70 F-15s previously purchased by the Saudi government.

'It will send a strong message to countries in the region that we are committed to support the security of our key partners and allies in the Arabian Gulf and broader Middle East,' Shapiro said.

'And it will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to deter and defend against threats to its borders and to its oil infrastructure, which is critical to our economic interests,' he added.

The helicopters included in the deal are 70 Apaches, 72 Black Hawks and 36 Little Birds, Shapiro said. Also in the package is an assortment of advanced missiles, bombs, radar and other equipment.

The Obama administration formally notified Congress of the sale, which is required under such a massive agreement. Congress is not expected to block the deal, although some members have expressed concerns it could pose a threat to Israel.

Senior Israeli officials have not objected to the deal, and an evaluation showed it would not place Israel at a disadvantage, Shapiro said.

'This would not diminish Israel's qualitative military edge, and therefore we felt comfortable in going forward with the sale,' he said.

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