Bush administration backs JDAM sales to Saudi Arabia

The Bush administration is preparing the way for the sale of precision munitions to Saudi Arabia as part of a major new arms package for its Middle East allies.

The US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) notified US Congress on 14 January of a proposed sale of 900 Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits for the kingdom, along with integration equipment, contractor engineering and other technical support. The total value of the sale is estimated at USD123 million.

The Saudi government has requested the kits to enhance the capability of the Royal Saudi Air Force's F-15S aircraft.

Sale of JDAMs to Saudi Arabia promises to bring close Congressional scrutiny. Congress has 30 days to block the proposed deal, and several legislators have pledged to try to halt the sales or make them subject to restrictions. Administration officials have said that the "majority" of military equipment destined for Saudi Arabia would be defensive, but some critics in Washington have expressed concern that the sale of JDAMs would give Saudi Arabia an offensive capability that could be used against other United States allies in the region - most notably against Israel. 192 of 582 words