Who knew that Obama was such an arms merchant? It looks like the Saudis are gearing up for a nuclear happy Iran. Now if only the Saudis learn how to treat women better.
The UK Telegraph reports that the United States is selling $60 billion (£40 billion) worth of aircraft to Saudi Arabia in a huge deal that will increase unease about a gathering arms race in the Middle East.
In what is the largest ever US arms sale of its kind, Riyadh has agreed to spend $30 billion up front on top range fighter jets and helicopters, with the rest following at an undisclosed date. The two countries are also discussing an upgrade naval package potentially worth $30 billion, but the timing of that deal is not clear.
The deals are a coup for the Obama administration ahead of the midterm Congressional elections. The aircraft contracts are set to benefit defence manufacturers in 44 states and help to protect 77,000 jobs. Democratic candidates are expected to come under severe pressure in the elections in part because of the US's high unemployment rate.
But the deal will raise concerns about the militarisation of the Gulf states and the Middle East, which in part seems to be being driven by the Iranian nuclear development programme.
The rush by Tehran towards nuclear weapons, which it denies but is widely disbelieved, is prompting defence reviews across the whole region.
In order to assuage concerns in Israel, the Obama administration has already decided not to offer Saudi Arabia so-called standoff systems, which are advanced long-range weapons that can be attached to F-15 fighters for use in offensive operations against land- and sea-based targets. Israel is also in line to buy from the US the F-35, a more sophisticated fighter jet.
Apart from creating jobs, the Obama administration sees the sale as a means of boosting support among Arab allies against Iran.
A Pentagon official said yesterday that the Saudi deal would include 84 new F-15 fighters, the upgrading of 70 more, and the purchase of three types of helicopters: 70 Apaches, 72 Black Hawks and 36 Little Birds. The total of 262 aircraft represents a quarter of the country's current air fleet. Full story
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