Wed, Jan 16, 2008
State Department Backs Sale Over Congressional Concerns
The idea that the United States would sell guided bomb
technology to Saudi Arabia set off immediate opposition in Congress
last November, as ANN reported. Some
lawmakers openly questioned whether the technology would be used
against Israel.
Reuters reports the Pentagon Tuesday moved to diffuse
congressional opposition by releasing details of the proposed sale,
valued at $123 million. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation
Agency said the sale of 900 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM)
kits would improve the accuracy of Saudi bombs and help its F-15
fighters take a larger role in coalition operations.
The technology allows old-fashioned "dumb bombs" to be upgraded
to use GPS and inertial guidance for precision targeting, similar
to the "smart bombs" which first amazed us all on TV newscasts
during Desert Storm.
Including this latest proposal, total proposed arms sales to
Persian Gulf countries stands at $11.5 billion. The Bush
administration wants to arm allies to counter what it perceives as
a growing threat in the region from Iran.
The agency says the sale will enhance training opportunities,
increase Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 operational capability,
sustainability, and interoperability with the US Air Force and and
other coalition air forces. The council oversees arms sales to
foreign nations.
The US Department of State joined the sales pitch to Congress on
Monday, assuring lawmakers the US has coordinated with both Israel
and Saudi Arabia to ensure the weapons won't be a threat to the
Jewish state. White House strategists believe they have enough
votes in Congress to get approval.
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