US official: New arms deal 'significant advance for Israel' | JPost | Israel News
WASHINGTON A complex $10 billion arms deal in its final stages would strengthen two key Arab allies the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia - while maintaining Israel's military edge, US defense officials said Friday.
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This not only sustains but augments Israel's qualitative military edge in the region," one of the officials said, ahead of a trip to the Middle East by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. "This package is a significant advance for Israel. ... This is about giving all three partners in the region added capacity to address key threats that they may face down the road."
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Report: Israel, UAE, Saudis in huge US arms deal
The announcement comes amid mounting concerns over Iran's nuclear program, with little progress reported at talks this month between Iran and world powers. US officials concede that crippling sanctions have so far failed to force concessions from Tehran, which insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
Israel has renewed warnings it reserves the right to resort to military action to stop what it says is Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Hagel is preparing for his first trip to Middle East since taking office in February, planning to visit Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE; he was expected to continue discussions about the arms sale at stops along the way.
The deal, more than a year in the making through a series of coordinated bilateral negotiations, would result in the sale of V-22 Osprey aircraft, advanced refueling tankers and anti-air defense missiles to Israel and 25 F-16 Desert Falcon jets worth nearly $5 billion to the United Arab Emirates.
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UAE and Saudi Arabia also would be allowed to purchase weapons with "
stand-off" capabilities - those that can be used to engage the enemy with precision at a greater distance, defense officials said.
The deal marks the first time the United States has offered to sell tilt-rotor Ospreys to another country, and the "stand-off" weapons would give Saudi Arabia and the UAE a more advanced capability than they have had in the past, said the defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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That's an ally for ya KSA, give Israel the advantage.
So israel is actually paying for arms now? And I would like to see what KSA citizens have to say about this as well as Israelis.
Why is this such an advantage for Israel? And against Iran what is it?