US Nears Record Arms Deal With Middle East Partners

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The U.S. is finalising a record $10 billion deal to sell advanced weaponry to Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, announced Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sunday, aiming to send a “very clear signal” to Iran that a possible nuclear programme would not be tolerated.


The U.S. is finalising a record $10 billion deal to sell advanced weaponry to Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, announced Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sunday, aiming to send a “very clear signal” to Iran that a possible nuclear programme would not be tolerated.

Hagel, who is presently on a week-long trip to the Middle East, told reporters that the Pentagon was keen to maintain its allies’ “qualitative military edge” in the region; and said that the deal would “reassure our allies in the region who were concerned over U.S. diplomacy with Iran and the prospect of some sort of agreement.”

“The bottom line is that Iran is a threat, a real threat,” said Hagel, whilst arriving in Israel on Sunday.

[quote]”This is one of the most complex and carefully orchestrated arms sale packages in American history. That’s not just because of the kinds of equipment that we’re providing to Israel and Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. It’s also a reflection of intensive defence shuttle diplomacy.”[/quote]

“I don’t think there’s any question that’s (the arms deal is) another very clear signal to Iran,” he added.

Related: The Economic Consequences Of An Israel-Iran War

Related: War With Iran Could Cost Israel’s Economy $42 Billion: Study

According to AFP, the U.S. will provide anti-radiation missiles, radar for fighter jets, aerial refuelling tankers and Osprey V-22 tilt-rotor transport aircrafts to Israel. Meanwhile, the U.A.E. is set to acquire 25 F-16 jets, while Saudi Arabia will also receive a set of sophisticated missiles.

Additionally, the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia will also be allowed to purchase weapons with so-called “standoff” capabilities that enable them to engage the enemy with precision at a distance, according to The Guardian. Defence officials say that the “standoff” arms will give the two countries more sophisticated systems than they currently have.

[quote]“This is more advanced weaponry than we’ve sold before,” a senior Defense Department official told the World Tribune. “This year, the United States provided $3.1 billion in foreign military financing to Israel, the highest the United States has ever provided,” the official added in a Pentagon briefing on April 19.[/quote]

Hagel, who faced resistance during his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year from lawmakers who questioned his support for Israel, told the press that there had been no rift between Israel and Washington over the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, despite the public spat last year between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama.

Related: Is The US-Israel ‘Marriage’ Breaking Up?: George Friedman

Related: Is A New US Foreign Policy Doctrine Emerging?: George Friedman

[quote]”I think it’s clear…. that Israel and the United States see the threat of Iran exactly the same…So I don’t think there’s any daylight there,” he said. “[But] when you break down into the specifics of the timing of when and if Iran decides to pursue a nuclear weapon, there may well be some differences.”[/quote]

After Israel, Hagel will visit Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.. Hagel’s arrival in Israel marks the third visit by a top US official within the past month, coming hot on the heels of a trip by US Secretary of State John Kerry and a historic visit in March by President Barack Obama.

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