WASHINGTON: The United States signed a gigantic arms deal with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as President Donald Trump reaches the oil-rich country.
“In a significant expansion of the more than seven-decade long security relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the President and Secretary Tillerson attended a signing ceremony for almost $110 billion worth of defence capabilities to be conveyed via Foreign Military Sales Letters of Offer and Acceptance and a Memorandum of Intent to support Saudi Arabia’s defence needs,” said a notification of US Department of State.
“This package of defence equipment and services supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of malign Iranian influence and Iranian related threats,” said the Department of State. It further adds that it bolsters the Kingdom’s ability to provide for its own security and continue contributing to counter-terrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on US military forces.
The Saudi leadership is keen on a reset of relations with United States, which became strained under the Obama administration. Few media reports in Washington suggest that the US agreed to provide $300 billion worth of arms to KSA in next three decades.
According to the US Department of State this package demonstrates the United States’ commitment to “our partnership with Saudi Arabia”, while also expanding opportunities for American companies in the region, potentially supporting tens of thousands of new jobs in the United States.
The intended sales fall broadly into five categories: border security and counter-terrorism, maritime and coastal security, air force modernisation, air and missile defence, and cyber-security and communications upgrades. Included are offers of extensive training and support to strengthen “our partnership and the Saudi armed forces”.
Collectively, they present the opportunity to significantly augment the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capabilities to help deter regional threats and enhance its ability to protect its borders and contribute to coalition counter-terrorism operations, the notification of the State Department said.
Border Security and Counter Terrorism: Capabilities such as aerostats, tanks, artillery, counter-mortar radars, armoured personnel carriers, helicopters, and associated training that will enable Saudi Arabia to secure its borders against terrorist and other threats.
Maritime and Coastal Security: Capabilities that will enable Saudi Arabia to defend freedom of navigation and to deter and defend against maritime attacks or incursions. Systems include Multi-Mission Surface Combatant ships, helicopters, patrol boats, and associated weapons systems.
Air Force Modernisation: Systems, sustainment, and training that will enable Saudi Arabia to maintain airborne surveillance, secure its airspace, and provide close air support with improved precision targeting capabilities and processes. Systems include transport, light close air support, intelligence-gathering aircraft, and continuing support for its existing platforms.
Air and Missile Defence: Systems such as Patriot and THAAD that will help Saudi Arabia protect itself and the region from missile or other airborne attacks.
Cyber-security and Communications: Equipment that will modernize Saudi Arabia’s command and control networks across its military to improve its overall cohesion and operational effectiveness.