Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States, amid a government shutdown, could
delay arms exports to the Middle East.

Officials and industry sources said the federal shutdown has suspended
the employment of civil servants required to process aerospace and military
exports to the Middle East and other regions. They said the furlough of
federal security personnel also ended production at major defense companies, Middle East Newsline reported.

“Many important activities remain curtailed while the shutdown goes on.” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.

The State Department has already warned of a halt in U.S. military aid.
Officials said Washington could not transfer aid to Middle East and other
militaries without a budget for 2014.

“The State Department’s ability to provide military assistance to Israel
and other allies in the time frame that is expected and customary could be
hindered, depending on the length of the shutdown,” State Department
spokeswoman Marie Harif said.

One plant that could be shut down by the furlough has been the main battle tank facility of General Dynamics, producer of the Abrams.

The sources cited G-D’s facility in Lima, Ohio, where federal guards walked off the job in a move that prevented operations by the company’s 900 employees.

The Lima facility has been responsible for the MBT upgrade for Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Defense Ministry has ordered an upgrade of 312 M1A2 tanks to a new configuration.

Saudi Arabia has been overseeing the implementation of a $29.4 billion
arms order, consisting mostly of the procurement and upgrade of F-15
fighter-jets from Boeing. Boeing has acknowledged delays in its civilian jet
sector, which requires certification from the Federal Aviation
Administration.

“Newer airplanes and new configurations or those delivered from
Charleston, those could be slowed or delayed during the shutdown,” Boeing
spokesman John Dern said.

A leading U.S. military engine producer has also announced a suspension
of operations. Pratt & Whitney, which supplies most of the Middle East, said
the decision would result in delays.

“The government shutdown directly affects our ability to meet our
military customers’ mission requirements,” P&W said.

Officials said the government shutdown has hampered Lockheed Martin in
continuing development of the Joint Strike Fighter, ordered by Israel and
Turkey. They cited the furlough of employees of the Defense Contract
Management Agency, which oversees major weapons program.

“The current closing of the federal government coupled with the
furloughs from earlier this year has not been good for the F-35 program,”
Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, head of the F-35 Joint Program Office, said.
“The shutdown is negatively affecting our ability to conduct flight tests
and other areas of the program, such as development, aircraft deliveries and
sustaining the fleet, are also at risk of delay and disruption.”

On Oct. 5, the Pentagon announced an order for most of its 400,000
furloughed employees to return to work. Officials said the order was based
on an interpretation of a law called “Pay Our Military Act.”

“This has been a very disruptive year for our people — including active
duty, National Guard and reserve personnel, and DoD civilians and
contractors,” Hagel said.

  Boeing F-15s, General Dynamics, Joint Strike Fighter, M1A2 tanks, Marie Harif, military aid, U.S. government shutdown impacting defense exports