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A hedge against Iran? US to sell Saudi Arabia 84 F-15SA
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions with Iran, the United States has signed a $30 billion mega defence deal with Saudi Arabia under which it will sell 84 new F-15SA aircraft and modernise the key West Asian ally’s current fleet of 70 F-15s.
“This sale will send a strong message to countries in the region that the United States is committed to stability in the Gulf and broader Middle East,” Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro told reporters.
The deal, announced in Hawaii where President Barack Obama is currently vacationing, has also been projected as one that will immensely benefit the US in economic terms. It will support more than 50,000 American jobs and provide a $3.5-billion annual boost to the US economy in the coming years.
Without highlighting the Iranian dimension yet noting that Iran is one of the threats faced by Saudi Arabia and other countries of the region, Shapiro said: “It (the deal) will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter and defend against external threats to its sovereignty.”
“They’ve had border security issues. They have threats in the Gulf as well. And clearly, one of the threats that they face as well as other countries in the region is Iran. But this is not solely directed towards Iran. This is directed towards meeting our partner Saudi Arabia’s defense needs,” he said in reply to a question on the threat faced by Saudis Arabia at this point of time.
Shapiro was quick to allay concerns that the sale could compromise the military edge of its other close ally, Israel. “By law, all sales to the region must be evaluated for the impact on Israel’s qualitative military edge,” he said, adding: “We conducted that assessment and we are satisfied that this sale to Saudi Arabia will not (diminish) Israel’s qualitative military edge.”
As many as 198 lawmakers had raised concerns over the Saudi deal, when the Obama administration first notified the US Congress on this score back in October 2010.
The deal will be a windfall for the Boeing Company, which along with Lockheed Martin had lost out on India’s $10 billion fighter jets deal last year. The deliveries of the new F-15s are set to begin in early 2015.
Beginning 1972, Boeing has produced more than 1,600 F-15s in various models. The new aircraft will be produced in St. Louis, Missouri. The operation of the deal will involve some 600 suppliers in 44 states of the US. “It certainly translates into sustaining existing jobs as well as creating new ones at Boeing and throughout the supply chain that helps produce this,” a company spokesman said.
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions with Iran, the United States has signed a $30 billion mega defence deal with Saudi Arabia under which it will sell 84 new F-15SA aircraft and modernise the key West Asian ally’s current fleet of 70 F-15s.
“This sale will send a strong message to countries in the region that the United States is committed to stability in the Gulf and broader Middle East,” Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro told reporters.
The deal, announced in Hawaii where President Barack Obama is currently vacationing, has also been projected as one that will immensely benefit the US in economic terms. It will support more than 50,000 American jobs and provide a $3.5-billion annual boost to the US economy in the coming years.
Without highlighting the Iranian dimension yet noting that Iran is one of the threats faced by Saudi Arabia and other countries of the region, Shapiro said: “It (the deal) will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter and defend against external threats to its sovereignty.”
“They’ve had border security issues. They have threats in the Gulf as well. And clearly, one of the threats that they face as well as other countries in the region is Iran. But this is not solely directed towards Iran. This is directed towards meeting our partner Saudi Arabia’s defense needs,” he said in reply to a question on the threat faced by Saudis Arabia at this point of time.
Shapiro was quick to allay concerns that the sale could compromise the military edge of its other close ally, Israel. “By law, all sales to the region must be evaluated for the impact on Israel’s qualitative military edge,” he said, adding: “We conducted that assessment and we are satisfied that this sale to Saudi Arabia will not (diminish) Israel’s qualitative military edge.”
As many as 198 lawmakers had raised concerns over the Saudi deal, when the Obama administration first notified the US Congress on this score back in October 2010.
The deal will be a windfall for the Boeing Company, which along with Lockheed Martin had lost out on India’s $10 billion fighter jets deal last year. The deliveries of the new F-15s are set to begin in early 2015.
Beginning 1972, Boeing has produced more than 1,600 F-15s in various models. The new aircraft will be produced in St. Louis, Missouri. The operation of the deal will involve some 600 suppliers in 44 states of the US. “It certainly translates into sustaining existing jobs as well as creating new ones at Boeing and throughout the supply chain that helps produce this,” a company spokesman said.
