US approves $2B in Saudi military deals.
According to Al-Sharq Network, the first contract includes spare parts under a logistics support program and the second contract includes advanced flight training services with various helicopters under the supervision of the US military.
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on Monday night that the State Department has approved two potential defense contracts for the sale of military helicopter support equipment, training, and related equipment to Saudi Arabia worth approximately $1 billion.
The Pentagon explained in two separate statements that the two contracts include an order for spare parts as well as flight training services for the Royal Saudi Air Force helicopter fleet.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of the two contracts.
During the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the US, the White House announced in a statement: Trump and bin Salman signed the US-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA), which is a historic agreement and strengthens our more than 80-year defense partnership and deterrence in the Middle East.
The statement added: “Trump approved a major defense package that includes the delivery of F-35 fighter jets (to Saudi Arabia). Trump also reached an agreement under which Saudi Arabia will buy about 300 American tanks.”