米国がサウジに600億ドルの兵器売却
イスラエルが抵抗したが、ヨーロッパの同盟国が過激な緊縮財政を実行中で米国製品が売れないものだから、こういう時こそサウジに買ってもらわなければならない。ごり押しした（笑）。
US to sell $60bn of weapons to Saudis
By Daniel Dombey in Washington
Published: October 20 2010 00:10 | Last updated: October 20 2010 00:10
The US is due to announce on Wednesday an arms sale to Saudi Arabia that could total more than $60bn, the biggest such transaction in history.
The formal congressional notification by the Obama administration comes after weeks of consultations with the US Congress and with Israel. The deal's champions say it would boost regional defences against Iran and provide the US manufacturing industry with thousands of jobs.
The transaction would involve providing or refurbishing some 150 F-15 fighter jets as well as selling Saudi Arabia dozens of Black Hawk and Apache helicopters, and, probably at a later date, naval and missile defence assets.
It is not considered likely to be held up by Congress, in spite of concern among some representatives about the long-term impact of arming Saudi Arabia to such an extent.
Following discussions between Robert Gates, US defence secretary, and Ehud Barak, his Israeli counterpart, Washington has agreed to restrict the F-15s' capability to hit distant targets, so as to pose less of a threat to Israel.
Last month the US also announced a deal worth up to $15.2bn in which it would sell Israel F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which are more advanced than the F-15.
"We have discussed this issue within the broader context of the US's commitment to maintain Israel's military edge and, even though we are not thrilled about it, the US has taken note of our concerns," said an Israeli official.
The Saudi sale is part of a wider arms build-up in the Middle East, which the US depicts as important to keeping in Iran in check. However, Washington denies that it is seeking to contain or deter a possible Iranian nuclear threat, arguing that Tehran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
The regional arms build-up also contrasts with the actions of some of the US's most trusted allies in western Europe, which are in the process of carrying out arms cuts. The UK on Tuesday announced plans to reduce defence spending by 8 per cent by 2015.
US to sell $60bn of weapons to Saudis
By Daniel Dombey in Washington
Published: October 20 2010 00:10 | Last updated: October 20 2010 00:10
The US is due to announce on Wednesday an arms sale to Saudi Arabia that could total more than $60bn, the biggest such transaction in history.
The formal congressional notification by the Obama administration comes after weeks of consultations with the US Congress and with Israel. The deal's champions say it would boost regional defences against Iran and provide the US manufacturing industry with thousands of jobs.
The transaction would involve providing or refurbishing some 150 F-15 fighter jets as well as selling Saudi Arabia dozens of Black Hawk and Apache helicopters, and, probably at a later date, naval and missile defence assets.
It is not considered likely to be held up by Congress, in spite of concern among some representatives about the long-term impact of arming Saudi Arabia to such an extent.
Following discussions between Robert Gates, US defence secretary, and Ehud Barak, his Israeli counterpart, Washington has agreed to restrict the F-15s' capability to hit distant targets, so as to pose less of a threat to Israel.
Last month the US also announced a deal worth up to $15.2bn in which it would sell Israel F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which are more advanced than the F-15.
"We have discussed this issue within the broader context of the US's commitment to maintain Israel's military edge and, even though we are not thrilled about it, the US has taken note of our concerns," said an Israeli official.
The Saudi sale is part of a wider arms build-up in the Middle East, which the US depicts as important to keeping in Iran in check. However, Washington denies that it is seeking to contain or deter a possible Iranian nuclear threat, arguing that Tehran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
The regional arms build-up also contrasts with the actions of some of the US's most trusted allies in western Europe, which are in the process of carrying out arms cuts. The UK on Tuesday announced plans to reduce defence spending by 8 per cent by 2015.
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