US to sell arms worth over $ 6 bn to Saudi Arabia

By Xinhua

07/22/06 "Xinhua" -- -- Washington, July 21: The United States Defence Department has notified Congress of possible arms sales such as helicopters, radios and armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia worth over $ 6 billion.

The Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on Thursday that the sale of $ 5.8 billion worth of major defence equipment (MDE) and non-MDE was to continue modernisation of the Saudi Arabian National Guard. The sale would comprise 724 light armoured vehicles, 4,504 long-range and handheld radio systems, 2,132 night vision goggles, 630 thermal weapon sight, 162 recoilless rifles, and other military equipment.

At present, there are approximately 250 US government personnel and 630 contractor representatives in Saudi Arabia supporting the nation’s National Guard modernisation programme, the statement said. “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region,” said the statement.

In another statement, the agency said it had also notified the Congress of a possible sale to Saudi Arabia of 24 UH-60L Utility/Assault Black Hawk helicopters as well as associated equipment and services worth $ 350 million.

“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” it said. The Congress has 30 days to block the sales.