WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said yesterday it plans to sell Washington’s Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates $10.8bn worth of missiles and munitions, including “bunker-buster” bombs.
The move follows a series of US weapons deals in recent years that have bolstered the air power and missile arsenals of Gulf states, which view Iran as a menacing rival with nuclear ambitions.
The pending sale comes as the United States and five other major powers pursue high-stakes diplomacy on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme, with talks this week portrayed as positive by both sides.
Officials said the Defense Department notified Congress this week of the planned deal that will provide a thousand bunker-buster GBU-39 bombs to the Saudis and 5,000 to the UAE.
The sale will also include sophisticated air-launched cruise missiles that can hit targets from a long distance.
The weapons are designed for use by US-made F-15 and F-16 fighter jets previously purchased by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
In 2010, Israel bought the same bunker-buster “precision-guided glide bombs,” fuelling speculation that it was preparing for potential preemptive air strikes against underground nuclear sites in Iran.
The proposed sales “will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States” by improving the security of friendly countries that remain forces for “stability,” the
DSCA said.
Under the arms package, the Saudis were due to receive $6.8bn in weapons, parts, training and logistical support.
The Saudis and the UAE will purchase hundreds of Standoff Land Attack missiles, or SLAM-ERs, and Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW).
These advanced missiles that will enable their warplanes to hit radar installations and other targets from beyond the range of air defence systems.
The Saudis will purchase 650 of the Boeing-manufactured SLAM-ERs and 973 Joint Standoff Weapons, made by Raytheon, as well as other missiles.
The United Arab Emirates is due to buy $4bn worth of weaponry, including the bunker-buster bombs, 300 SLAM-ERs and 1,200 JSOW missiles.
AFP
