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I feel increasingly worried for Israel.

According to the article, anyways, the sale involves 85 F-15s (which will be a derivative of the US's "E" variant) and 175 attack helicopters.

The attack helos (assume derivative of the AH-64D) won't pose much of a threat to Israel themselves, as any large movement of them into a threatening position would in conjunction with movement of other Saudi military assets, be seen by Israeli recce assets, and would provoke an immediate Israeli preemptive strike.

The F-15s may be worrisome, but remember that they are the multi-role version of the F-15 (the single seat dedicated air-superiority version having ended production over two decades ago with the F-15C). Even if the Saudis get the proposed F-15SE "Silent Eagle" variant, the one getting stealth enhancements, the Israelis will be getting a fair number of F-35As which, when used in a defensive posture, will ensure them complete air dominance over any other air force operating in the region, except for the US (only operator of the F-22A). That's WITHOUT factoring in the AD batteries (Patriots/PAC3s, etc), the coordinated defense networks, etc that the Israelis have. This sale strikes me as being targeted against the possibility of a regional war with Iran (which the Saudis, tho they may really hate Israel, knows is the biggest threat to them), with negligible impact on Israel's security.

This sale strikes me as being targeted against the possibility of a regional war with Iran (which the Saudis, tho they may really hate Israel, knows is the biggest threat to them), with negligible impact on Israels security.

I understand that this is the current situation, but remember Afghanistan? Remember how we trained them and armed them only to have to return to fight them ourselves? Remember reading that pushing the Russians back (with our help) empowered them to come up with 9/11? This is a very dangerous game he is playing. I pray that history will not repeat itself.I am stunned that we have learned nothing from our mistakes (especially in the Middle East)

WE have many smart people on this site relative to knowing about weaponry. You are obviously one of them.

I agree with you. This is really targeted at Iran.

Plus, the Saudi have so much of our money, why not have them buy some of our planes?

I am FOR this deal. There is no alternative given the options available to the Saudis with emerging PAK-FA and other technologies. By selling advanced arms to the Saudis or India, we will take the lion’s share of the market and money that would otherwise be spent in Russia, China, etc. The Saudis shop globally, and know where their bread is buttered.