US encouraging Saudi Arabia to buy dlrs 60 billion worth arms
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Riyadh, Sept 13, IRNA -- United States is encouraging Saudi Arabia to buy dlrs 60 billion worth arms package.
IRNA reporter in Riyadh said that talks are also underway to expand Saudi Arabia's ballistic-missile defenses, part of a package of arms deal the economists believe will help support jobs in the US arms manufacturing sector.
The U.S. sought the Saudis to buy systems known as THAAD—Terminal High Altitude Defense—and to upgrade its Patriot missiles.
The U.S. has offered a package of missile defense across the region, and the Saudi package could be similar to one in the United Arab Emirates, officials said.
THAAD is built by Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. supplies the system's radar. THAAD is the first system designed to defend against short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere.
It complements the lower-aimed Patriot missile defense system, providing a layered defense.
The prospect for job growth could help build support in Congress for the $60 billion package, officials said.
'It's a big economic sale for the U.S. and the argument is that it is better to create jobs in the US than in Europe.'
Boeing Co., which makes the F-15s, the Apaches and the Little Birds, believes the Saudi package would directly or indirectly support 77,000 jobs across 44 states.
It is unclear how many jobs, if any, would be supported by the Saudi purchase of Black Hawks, made by Sikorsky, which is owned by United Technologies Co.
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