Posted on 07/07/2011 1:27:18 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Saudi plans to lift arms purchases from US to $90 bln
06 Jul 2011 16:20
Source: reuters // Reuters
* Extra $30 bln will be used to upgrade the Saudi navy
* Riyadh jostling with Iran for influence in the Gulf
By Amena Bakr
RIYADH, July 6 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia plans to raise its arms purchases from the United States to $90 billion from the $60 billion announced last year, as the kingdom seeks to upgrade it navy, diplomats in the Gulf said this week.
Last year, U.S. officials said Riyadh planned to buy $60 billion worth of military aircraft, including upgrades to existing fleets. [ID:nN20224429]
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, is boosting its defences as it faces off with Shi'ite Muslim, non-Arab Iran for influence in the Gulf Arab region.
Saudi forces helped Bahrain put down a pro-democracy protest movement this year, fearing that Iran was backing the Shi'ite-led opposition. They also clashed over a year ago with Shi'ite rebels in Yemen, where protesters are seeking the removal of veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh, a Saudi ally.
"There is a plan for Saudi to spend an extra $30 billion to upgrade its navy fleet," said a Western diplomat in the Gulf. "This extra amount also includes maintenance and training for the forces," another Gulf-based diplomat said.
A Saudi government adviser said he expected the deal to upgrade the navy fleet would be completed soon.
"The chances this deal won't be finalised are very remote. The money will basically be
(Excerpt) Read more at trust.org ...
Good for our economy.
The “War on Terror”, America’s first war in which we are funding both sides.
IRAN has the shieks really worried.
Are arms manufacturers big campaign contributors to Barry?
They are already cooked unless they have gone to Israel.
A deeper or longer bow could have gotten it up to $100 Billion I’ll bet.
No telling what he would have gotten had he used his kneepads.
Must be all those death to Shi’ite signs all over.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.