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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Bush proposes $10 billion arms package to Mideast allies

WASHINGTON — President George Bush, in what could be one of his last major arms project in office, has approved nearly $10 billion in U.S.military sales to Middle East allies.

Under the White House decision, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would be eligible to purchase a range of air and ground-based weapons from the United States. Congress, which has 30 days to review the proposals, was not expected to block the arms package.

"This was a way to highlight support by these countries in the global war against terror," an official said. "There will probably be more agreements."

All of the requests were relayed by the Defense Department to Congress on Sept. 9 on the eve of the anniversary of the 2001 suicide attacks by Al Qaida. Officials said the Arab and Israeli requests were reviewed by the administration for nearly a year, Middle East Newsline reported.

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The biggest request was by the UAE. Abu Dhabi has asked to purchase three Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, upper tier missile defense systems in a $7 billion deal.

"The proposed sale of the weapons will strengthen the effectiveness and interoperability of a potential coalition partner, reduce the dependence on U.S. forces in the region, and enhance any coalition operations the U.S. may undertake," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

Officials said THAAD would significantly bolster UAE defense against any Iranian ballistic missile strike. The UAE also requested PAC-3 interceptors and communications in a proposed $121 million sale. PAC-3 was meant to defend against missiles in the lower atmosphere. Abu Dhabi has also sought Avenger tactical air defense units in a $737 million deal.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia plans to order up to 12 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters in a sale estimated at nearly $600 million. This marked the second order of the Longbow by the Saudi air force.

Egypt requested combat helicopters and main battle tank shells in a sale estimated at $565 million. The helicopters were identified as the Black Hawk, manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft.

Israel plans to order up to $330 million in a missile defense upgrade and for munitions. Israel has requested the upgrade of the PAC-2 missile defense system to PAC-3 configuration.

Jordan has sought U.S. assistance to extend the kingdom's border security system. Under the request, the United States would sell $390 million in command and control systems to protect Jordan's border with Iraq.

Officials said the arms sales would also enhance the militaries of some of the Gulf Cooperation Council states amid the threat from neighboring Iran. Kuwait has requested an advanced air-to-air missile, the AIM-120C7, meant to protect against any Iranian air strike.

"The proposed sale will improve Kuwait's capability to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-air weapons," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. "Kuwait will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense."


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