Officials said the Saudi royal family has relayed a request for 72
F-15s, manufactured by Boeing. They said the F-15s would comprise the most
advanced models, including stealth platforms.
"This has been high on the Saudi agenda," an official said. "The Saudis
want these planes quickly."
"The deal would also include Saudi financing of a stealth F-15," the
official said. "Right now, the U.S. Air Force is not interested in such a
plane."
Saudi Arabia has procured more than 160 F-15s in agreements signed in
the late 1970s and mid-1990s. Over the last three years, the United States
launched efforts to modernize the F-15C, D and E models, which would enable
the fighters to carry advanced air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.
In 2007, Riyad awarded an $8.9 billion contract to BAE Systems for the
purchase of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes, Middle East Newsline reported. But officials said the Royal
Saudi Air Force, which received the first batch of Typhoons, would require
several years to learn how to fully operate the fourth-generation European
fighter.
Officials said Abdullah has demanded the rapid implementation of U.S.
weapons deals. They acknowledged that the Defense Department, amid the wars
in Afghanistan and Iraq, has been mired in huge delays regarding the
delivery of more than $10 billion in Saudi weapons orders.
"The Saudis want to buy [American warplanes], but they won't tolerate
delays," the official said. "They have reminded us that they could turn to
Europe and get advanced aircraft within three years of a contract."