Saudi Arabia to purchase 84 F-15s, upgrading 70 more...

[Stratofreighter]

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-sources-us-sel ... 38789.html

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is poised to announce the sale of nearly $30 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, U.S. officials said.

The deal will send 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more, for a total of $29.4 billion, according to the officials Wednesday, who requested anonymity because the sale has not been made public.

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-d ... nfirm.html

...and indeed, these plans are not new. But it seems they will now actually be carried out...

[Hurricane]

Deal has been approved as this Dutch only article reports.

[SquAdmin]

So, what are these? Export version of F-15E I suppose?

[pipichantal]

Under the mammoth military package, Saudi Arabia is set to receive 84 new F-15E Strike Eagles and to upgrade 70 of its existing F-15s. .The U.S. government has also offered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 70 new AH-64 Apache strike helicopters and 36 AH-6i helicopters, plus support and training. All the LOAs together will total approximately $24 billion in Boeing sales.

[Stratofreighter]

And now official: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/12/179777.htm

So without further ado, Assistant Secretary Shapiro.

QUESTION: Can we attribute the on-time nature of this briefing to the fact that someone from the Pentagon is here? (Laughter.)

MS. NULAND: Absolutely. We have military discipline – (laughter).

ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: Well, thank you everyone for coming this afternoon. And as Toria mentioned, I’m joined by Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Dr. Jim Miller.

As you may recall, in October 2010, I officially announced the Administration’s plan to sell to Saudi Arabia a significant defense package that would include advanced F-15 fighter aircraft and helicopters. We are pleased to announce that over this past weekend, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a letter of offer and acceptance for the sale of up to 84 advanced F-15SA fighter aircraft. It also includes upgrades to its current fleet of 70 F-15 aircraft, as well as munitions, spare parts, training, maintenance, and logistics.

This sale is worth $29.4 billion.

[Wildpicture]

I just hope there won't come a day when we regret this.....

[michel N]

Well, I guess the USA won't regret this sale. The Saudis are afraid of Iran, and therefore want to have a stronger airforce than the Iranians. And for the USA it brings some much needed money....

[Flyboy]

And that while the first flight is 40 years ago... Like a P-51 purchased in 1982.
I wonder what the differences will be between the F-15K and the F-15SA. Having said that: The F-22 already seaced production...

[Wildpicture]

Well, I guess the USA won't regret this sale. The Saudis are afraid of Iran, and therefore want to have a stronger airforce than the Iranians. And for the USA it brings some much needed money....

Yes, but countries can change. Right now the US aren't too excited anymnore about having sold Tomcats to the sjah. Even though it was decades ago and the Tomcats are outdated and lack spares, they still make up a strong opponent. Selling high tech weapons to "shady regimes" remains dangerous, even though it is good for the economy.

[Stefan]

Hi,

We are getting very off-topic here.

Selling high tech weapons to "shady regimes" remains dangerous, even though it is good for the economy.

Well, those 'shady regimes', as you put it, are currently the only ones able to spend money on stuff like this.

Yes, but countries can change.

That's a nice addition, since it can work both ways... not selling any stuff to anyone would be the best option then?

Regards,
Stefan

[Le Addeur noir]

If the US refuses to sell F-15s(or any other jets) to Saudi,the Chinese and Russians will be only too willing to fill that void.

Then the Saudis may cut oil production,pushing up the barrel of oil towards $200/barrel..........

Increased Chinese and/or Russian influence in the Middle East if the US refuses to sell to the Saudis?.Risky to say the least.