The Obama White House today announced that a deal to sell $30 billion dollars worth of advanced f-15 fighter jets to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been finalized. Obama has stated that the deal is meant to counteract Iran and provide job and export growth to the American Economy.
Congress approved the deal in 2010. To fulfill the contract Boeing will provide 84 advanced F-15SA combat planes to the Royal Saudi Air Force. In addition it will provide upgrades to 70 existing jets in addition to providing arms for the planes, spare parts and other resources for their upkeep.
White house Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that “This agreement will positively impact the U.S. economy and further advances the president’s commitment to create jobs by increasing exports. According to industry experts, this agreement will support more than 50,000 American jobs, engaging 600 suppliers in 44 states, and providing $3.5 billion in annual economic impact to the U.S. economy.”
Additional military equipment being provided to Saudi Arabia as part of the $60 billion dollar deal approved in 2010 are 70 Apache attack helicopters, 72 Black Hawk helicopters, 26 Little Bird helicopters and assorted weapons systems for the aircraft.
The main reason for the arms package’s approval, at the time, was the insistence of both the Obama Administration and The Saudi Arabian government was that the Iranian threat required a well armed Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has stood side by side witht he US in opposing Iran’s nuclear program.
Press Secretary Earnest further stated “This agreement reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a strong Saudi defense capability as a key component to regional security,”
The Obama administration also sought to allay concerns that the arms package diminished Israel’s miltary edge in the region.
“All sales to the region must be evaluated for the impact on Israel’s qualitative military edge,” assistant Secretary of State Andrew Schapiro told reporters. “We conducted that assessment, and we are satisfied that this sale to Saudi Arabia will not detriment Israel’s qualitative military edge.”
Should America be so committed to improving the Saudi’s military?