Massive US Arms Sale to Saudis Sends 'Message' to Iran

(Oct. 21) -- The Obama administration is authorizing the sale of more than $60 billion in fighter jets, attack helicopters and other materiel to Saudi Arabia, one of the largest arms deals ever and a package that includes a tacit "message" to Iran.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Authorization Agency sent four formal foreign arms sales notifications to Congress on Wednesday, while the State Department took the lead in arguing to the public how the deal furthers U.S. national security objectives.

"This proposed sale has tremendous significance from a strategic regional perspective," Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, told reporters. "It will send a strong message to countries in the region that we are committed to support the security of our key partners and allies in the Arabian Gulf and broader Middle East. And it will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to deter and defend against threats to its borders and to its oil infrastructure, which is critical to our economic interests."

But the size of the package -- including 84 F-15 fighter jets, 70 Apache Longbow attack helicopters, 72 Blackhawk helicopters and a host of other aircraft, weapons, radar systems and equipment -- appears to be much greater than what Saudi Arabia needs to defend its borders or deal with the internal threat of militants linked to al-Qaida.

Rather, the weapons sale includes training contracts that last 15 to 20 years and -- like a similar naval package reportedly in the works -- seems part of a larger campaign to put pressure on Iran and reassure American allies in the region who fear the intended U.S. withdrawal from Iraq will embolden Tehran.

Asked what enemy looms so large that the Sunni Muslim Saudis need F-15s to protect themselves, Shapiro repeatedly cited the Saudis' "legitimate security needs" before eventually acknowledging that their Shiite Muslim neighbor across the Persian Gulf is one of them.

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Even then, he said, "it's not solely about Iran," before adding that the Saudis live "in a dangerous neighborhood."

Shapiro also addressed fears that giving weapons to Saudi Arabia could make the Middle East a more dangerous neighborhood by increasing threats to Israel, suggesting Israeli officials have said they won't object to the sale. Israel, which receives U.S. F-16 fighter jets and other advanced equipment, will keep its "qualitative military edge," he said.

The deal requires approval from Congress, and Shapiro said several rounds of consultation with aids at the Capitol left the administration confident lawmakers won't block it.