US nears $100 billion arms deal for Saudi Arabia

[DavidSling]

The official said the intention was to complete the deal in parallel with President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia this coming Friday; the arms package could amount to over $300 billion in a decade.
Reuters|Published: 13.05.17 , 12:07

The United States is close to completing a series of arms deals for Saudi Arabia totaling more than $100 billion, a senior White House official said on Friday, a week ahead of President Donald Trump's planned visit to Riyadh.

The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the arms package could end up surpassing more than $300 billion over a decade to help Saudi Arabia boost its defensive capabilities while still maintaining US ally Israel's qualitative military edge over its neighbors.


Trump and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince (Photo: MCT)

"We are in the final stages of a series of deals," the official said. The package is being developed to coincide with Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia. Trump leaves for the kingdom on May 19, the first stop on his maiden international trip.

Reuters reported last week that Washington was pushing through contracts for tens of billions of dollars in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, some new, others already in the pipeline, ahead of Trump's visit.

The United States has been the main supplier for most Saudi military needs, from F-15 fighter jets to command and control systems worth tens of billions of dollars in recent years. Trump has vowed to stimulate the US economy by boosting manufacturing jobs.

The package includes American arms and maintenance, ships, air missile defense and maritime security, the official said. "We'll see a very substantial commitment ... In many ways it is intended to build capabilities for the threats they face."

The official added: "It's good for the American economy but it will also be good in terms of building a capability that is appropriate for the challenges of the region. Israel would still maintain an edge."


US Defense Secretary Mattis in Saudi Arabia (Photo: AP)

While in Riyadh, the official said Trump would attend three major events: A series of meeting with Saudi officials, a separate session with leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and a lunch with Arab and Muslim leaders, 56 of whom have been invited, to discuss combating extremism and cracking down on illicit financing.

Trump will discuss how to counter the threat from Islamic State militants, the war in Yemen and threats of ballistic missiles and maritime shipping in the Red Sea, the official said.

US Navy commanders have accused Iran of jeopardizing international navigationby "harassing" warships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf Arab states are optimistic about Trump whom they see as a hawkish leader opposed to their adversary Iran.

A major part of the agenda with Gulf leaders will be the Syrian civil war amid calls for "de-escalation zones" in Syria to provide a safe haven for Syrian refugees.

Besides Saudi Arabia, Trump's first foreign trip will also include visits to Israel, the Vatican, Brussels for a NATO summit and Sicily for a Group of Seven summit.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4961368,00.html

 

[DavidSling]

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo. (photo by US Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters/File Photo)

Congress OK with Saudi missile defense sale amid warming Israel-Gulf ties
The Donald Trump administration’s interest in selling an advanced anti-missile system to Saudi Arabia is expected to easily clear Congress in a sign of warming Arab-Israeli ties.

Summary⎙ Print Israel seems fine with Saudi Arabia getting an anti-ballistic missile system, as does Capitol Hill.
Author Julian PecquetPosted May 11, 2017
Israel is not objecting to the proposed sale of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system, according to several Washington sources, assuaging US lawmakers’ concerns that Israel retain the upper hand when it comes to weapons technology. The apparent approval is but the latest example of Israel and Saudi Arabia's cementing their tacit front against Iran as Trump prepares to visit both countries later this month.

"Certainly the relationship has gotten better,” said Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Middle East panel. “In addition to that, arms sales to various countries in the Middle East are dicey at best and as a result, they're not done in a vacuum. There's usually considerable consultation all the way around with allies."

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the full committee, confirmed that the Israelis are well aware of the THAAD proposal. The Israeli Embassy in Washington did not return requests for comment.

“I’ve raised that issue with the administration, and they say they are in conversations with the Israelis. So we’ll see how that went,” Cardin told Al-Monitor. “I’ve raised the concern generally on Saudi sales because we anticipate there’s more in the works.”

Many arms sales to the Middle East are required to go through a complex process to ensure that Israel preserves what is known as its Qualitative Military Edge, a decades-old US custom that wasn't codified until 2008. The idea dates to Israel’s early wars with its Arab neighbors, when superior military equipment helped the tiny nation prevail over its much larger enemies.

The predicted smooth sailing for the anti-missile system stands in contrast with several past big-ticket sales to Saudi Arabia. Israel notably objected when President Ronald Reagan sold the Saudis AWACS reconnaissance planes, costing him support among American Jews; more recently, Israel extracted a promise to be the only non-NATO Middle East nation to receive F-35s after President George W. Bush ramped up arms sales to Gulf nations in 2007 amid rising Iranian influence.

"I think the Israelis realize at this point that the Iranians are the Saudis' main focus," said Patrick Megahan, the editor of the nonprofit Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Military Edge project, which tracks the balance of forces in the Middle East and how it impacts Israel's Qualitative Military Edge. “[US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph] Dunford was just there in Israel and [Defense Secretary James] Mattis was there not long ago either. If the White House was about to approve them, I'm sure in those meetings it was discussed."

Megahan said THAAD is a high-altitude system that would not be a threat to the kinds of low-flying Israeli planes that would likely be used to attack Saudi Arabia in the unlikely event that war broke out. However, he said, the Israelis could have concerns about the system’s powerful radar, just as China does with the system’s installation in South Korea.

As for THAAD's falling into the wrong hands in case of a regime collapse, Megahan dismissed the risk as remote.

"Even then so much of the American-made equipment is so dependent on American contractors to maintain … that in this instance it's not something the Israelis need to worry about too much," he said. "You're not going to be able to seize it and be able to operate it. It's very complex."

The United Arab Emirates became the first international customer for the system in 2012, just as Iran was threatening to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz and testing ballistic missiles. Initial deliveries didn't take place until late 2015, and the system only became operational last year.

Saudi Arabia's getting the system would be more significant, however, because of its proximity to Israel and its symbolic role as defender of Islam and Muslims, including Palestinians. Riyadh's getting the system could also kick-start efforts to get the Gulf Cooperation Council nations to cooperate on creating a joint missile defense shield, a priority for the Barack Obama administration during the nuclear talks with Iran.

Senate Armed Services Chairman and prominent Iran hawk John McCain, R-Ariz., for one, is ready to move forward with the sale.

"I think it's a good idea," McCain told Al-Monitor. "I'm all for it."

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/ori...ale-thaad-israel-gulf-ties.html#ixzz4gxr7He5R

 

[Haytar]

I can tell more about it

 

[DavidSling]

I can tell more about it

please do then

 

[Haytar]

11 new Corvettes/frigates Lsc, 14 destroyers (arleight burke), thaad, 24 sea hawk anti submarine helicopters, 6 p-8 poseidon's, mq-8b unknown number,logistic ships, 3 landing ship platform's

 

[Haytar]

Oh and submarines are also on the way but not from the U.s !!!

 

[DavidSling]

Damn impressive, war with Iran on the way eh?

 

[Haytar]

Yup

 

[El Sidd]

The king just fulfilled trump's promise of bringing jobs back to America.

Democracy has been saved.

Thanks

 

[Basel]

11 new Corvettes/frigates Lsc, 14 destroyers (arleight burke), thaad, 24 sea hawk anti submarine helicopters, 6 p-8 poseidon's, mq-8b unknown number,logistic ships, 3 landing ship platform's

Why no Sub or small ACC with at least 20 Super Hornets if F-35C/B is not possible?

Oh and submarines are also on the way but not from the U.s !!!

Which sub??

 

[Haytar]

The king just fulfilled trump's promise of bringing jobs back to America.

Democracy has been saved.

Thanks

They are not the only one believe me you almost forgot turkey which is a nato country they would even die for democracy without any price. Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina,Turkey,Kosovo,Bangladesh,Kazakhstan,Malaysia,indonesia all of them recognised the state of Israel as a independent state so please don't talk about islam please which islam is this please it's so sad !!

 

[Penguin]

11 new Corvettes/frigates Lsc, 14 destroyers (arleight burke), thaad, 24 sea hawk anti submarine helicopters, 6 p-8 poseidon's, mq-8b unknown number,logistic ships, 3 landing ship platform's

Saudi Navy Expansion Program
December 9, 2015

The Royal Saudi Navy is planning to replace virtually all of its Eastern Fleet. The expected price tag has been variously reported as between $11.25 and $20B.
...
It appears Saudi Arabia is again looking to the US to build this new fleet, reportedly buying four up-rated Lockheed Martin Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ships. While these ships have been much in the news, they are only part of a much larger program.

In February Defense News reported that Saudi Arabia had sent a letter of request to the US Navy that outlined the entire program. It specified:

• Four 3,500-ton “frigate-like warships” capable of anti-air warfare, armed with an eight-to-16-cell vertical launch system (VLS) capable of launching Standard SM-2 missiles; fitted with an “Aegis or like” combat system using “SPY-1F or similar” radars; able to operate Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters; with a speed of 35 knots.

• Six 2,500-ton warships with combat systems compatible with the frigates, able to operate MH-60R helos.

• 20 to 24 fast patrol vessels about 40 to 45 meters long, powered by twin diesels.

• 10 “maritime helicopters” with characteristics identical to the MH-60R.

• Three maritime patrol aircraft for coastal surveillance.

• 30 to 50 UAVs, some for maritime use, some to be shore-based.

This shopping list sounds remarkably specific. This suggest that they already have a good idea what they expect to buy.

http://cimsec.org/saudi-navy-expansion-program/18474
4 LCS based frigates, 6 Swiftships

Frigates alone over 11 billion.
https://news.usni.org/2016/05/18/new-saudi-frigate-design-details-emerge

Obtain info here
https://opvmiddleeast.iqpc.ae/saudi-naval-expansion-programme-ii-mc

Please tell me more about those 14 Arleigh Burkes!

 

[Haytar]

Jets are also on the table as the eurofighters are to expensive and the tornados are going out of their live time, the submarines is an was always the question which one ??? But they are also of on the way don't worry

 

[Gomig-21]

11 new Corvettes/frigates Lsc, 14 destroyers (arleight burke), thaad, 24 sea hawk anti submarine helicopters, 6 p-8 poseidon's, mq-8b unknown number,logistic ships, 3 landing ship platform's

This must've been going on way before Trump started complaining about Saudi Arabia needing to pay for US' military umbrella protection. I don't think a deal that included a list of this magnitude, along with THAAD was something that was put together right after Trump's recent gabbling about Saudia needing to pay more.

Either way, very impressive contract. Saudi Arabia should make the US include the F-35 in a deal this big. Take it or leave it!

 

[El Sidd]

They are not the only one believe me you almost forgot turkey which is a nato country they would even die for democracy without any price. Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina,Turkey,Kosovo,Bangladesh,Kazakhstan,Malaysia,indonesia all of them recognised the state of Israel as a independent state so please don't talk about islam please which islam is this please it's so sad !!

When did we start discussing Islam? I just explained the politics behind the investment.

Its the good old you scratch my back and we yours. Or simplified as good diplomacy.