US finalizing arms sales to Israel, Arab nations - ($10 Billion, Hagel,Saudis,UAE)

Associated Press ^ | 4-19-2013 | ROBERT BURNS and DONNA CASSATA

[haffast]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department is working out final details of $10 billion in sales of warplanes, transport aircraft and advanced missiles to Israel and two Arab nations amid concerns about the growing threat from Iran and its disputed nuclear weapons program, Pentagon and congressional officials said Friday.

The U.S. has spent the past year negotiating with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on the deals, which come ahead of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's visit to the Middle East starting Sunday.

The officials said the United States will sell to Israel an undisclosed number of KC-135 aerial refueling planes and V-22 Osprey aircraft, the tilt-rotor hybrid that can take off and land like a helicopter and then fly like an airplane, as well as precision-guided missiles and advanced radar for Israeli fighter aircraft. It would be the first sale of the V-22 to a foreign nation.

In Israel, officials said the U.S. offer is meant to ensure Israel's military edge in the region, in light of arms sales the U.S. is advancing in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The weaponry is not expected to arrive in Israel for at least two years.

The package for Israel also includes financial aid.

The United Arab Emirates would purchase 26 F-16 warplanes under the deal, as well as advanced air-launched missiles. Three Pentagon officials who briefed reporters on the arrangement Friday said the UAE segment of the deal is valued at $4 billion to $5 billion. They did not specify the value of the sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are expected to buy advanced air-launched missiles.

One official said the deals were briefed to Congress on Thursday by Wendy Sherman, the State Department's undersecretary for political affairs, and James Miller, the Pentagon's undersecretary for policy.

[haffast]

DRILL BABY, DRILL!!:

Hagel: US sending Army planners to Jordan
Thursday, April 18, 2013 11:38:22 AM · 10 of 16
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3009170/posts?page=10#10

"Peace and Security" in your lifetime? Before the O'Kerry two year "window" of opportunity for peace closes (and Israel's Leviathan gas/oil field comes online in 2016).

[haffast]

Report: Israel, UAE, Saudis in huge US arms deal
By JPOST.COM STAFF - 04/19/2013 10:17
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Report-Israel-UAE-Saudis-in-huge-US-arms-deal-310366

U.S. ready to announce $10B arms deal with Israel, Saudis, UAE

WASHINGTON, April 19 (UPI) -- The Obama administration has given Congress the outlines of a $10 billion deal to sell arms to Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, officials say.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is expected to negotiate the final details in a visit to the Middle East next week, The New York Times reported. Officials said the United States has been involved in secret talks with all three countries for the past year.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/04/19/US-ready-to-announce-10B-arms-deal-with-Israel-Saudis-UAE/UPI-50061366384968/#ixzz2QwOmWvcI

[PieterCasparzen]

But under a Democrat WH administration, Senate & House for 2 years, and Democrat WH administration and Senate for 4 more years...

the Democrat party is all about peace and love and tolerance - they end all the wars - they are AGAINST arms sales and the infamous military-industrial complex...

Right ?

So say it ain’t so...

Please, all those loyal Democrat voters - all the teachers who came of age in the 1960’s...

Peace, love, they’re all fightin’ against the man - that’s what they tell the kids... war is bad... sales of military weapons are bad... if we just vote for our local Democrat politician and twinkletoes Obama... there will be peace breakin’ out all over...

How can these Democrat-approved arms deals be crankin’ out billions worth of hardware ?

/SARC

[southernerwithanattitude]

What on earth do they want with those Ospreys? They starting a kamikaze squadron?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks haffast.

[haffast]

I didn't know we had finished crash testing those things.

U.S. Arms Deal With Israel and 2 Arab Nations Is Near
By THOM SHANKER - NYT - Published: April 18, 2013

"Israel could use the Osprey for patrolling its borders, coastline and out to sea, and for moving troops to troubled areas. "
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/world/middleeast/us-selling-arms-to-israel-saudi-arabia-and-emirates.html?_r=0

[haffast]

Give the kids the keys to the car, and they begin to like the feeling of control and power (and the money filling their pockets).

[southernerwithanattitude]

I thought we would get a reaction from a Osprey supporter by now. Ha ha. Got a brand new C-130 setting on the flight line with a Star of David on it.

[haffast]

I was wondering if the Osprey could be used as part of a fast reaction team out to the oil platforms in the Med. Watch this whirligig:

V22 Osprey landing to single spot ship - (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZX0KRRWyWc

I wondered how much steel I'd want between me and it.

Then I saw this little blurb:

The Osprey's Real Problem Isn't Safety—It's Money

"The White House's proposed 2013 budget trims 24 aircraft (from 122 to 98) over five years, saving $1.75 billion. But those orders could be reinstated during negotiations of the Pentagon's contract with Osprey maker Bell-Boeing. The fact that the Osprey has escaped the budget ax's deepest cuts confirms its improved reputation within the military."
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/planes-uavs/the-ospreys-real-problem-isnt-safety-its-money-8347657

So, cut some from the US budget, and sell 'em to Israel. They'll be there if we need 'em. With trained Israeli pilots who know the terrain and the drill.

Obama happy. Bell-Boeing happy. Israel happy.

But I'd rather ride with you.

[PieterCasparzen]

I suppose.

[haffast]

Bell Pushes On With V-22 Tiltrotor Sales Drive
Farnborough Air Show » July 10, 2012

"Aircraft for export could easily be slotted into the expected second American multi-year buy, Col. Greg Masiello, joint V-22 program manager, U.S. Naval Air Systems command, said here at the Farnborough International airshow yesterday. He did not identify potential customers, but serious interest from Canada, Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been reported."

"Bell Boeing officials have suggested that the tilt-rotor could also replace the VH-3s used to transport the U.S. President himself."

"Despite the recent crash of an AFSOC aircraft on a training mission, Masiello said the Osprey’s poor safety reputation was behind it. “The hydraulics and the wiring were completely redesigned after the early accidents. It’s perfectly safe. I would fly my family in it,” he added."
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2012-07-09/bell-pushes-v-22-tiltrotor-sales-drive

[haffast]

Osprey gets support role in Marine One squadron
By Jennifer Hlad - Stars and Stripes
Published: April 19, 2013

" WASHINGTON — The Marine helicopter squadron responsible for flying President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, cabinet members and other VIPs has a new aircraft: An MV-22 Osprey.

HMX-1’s tilt-rotor aircraft is painted green and will be used in a support role, transporting the president’s staff and the media, Marine spokesman Capt. Richard Ulsh confirmed.
http://www.stripes.com/news/osprey-gets-support-role-in-marine-one-squadron-1.217343

Aren't ya'll confident enough yet to let the president ride around in that thing? Maybe not?

[SunkenCiv]

Oil and gas rigs, good call.