US gives initial approval for $3.5 bn missile sale to Saudi Arabia before Trump's planned visit
The United States has given initial approval to sell $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia's fighter jets, the latest proposed arms deal for the region ahead of President Donald Trump's planned trip to the region later this month. The sale, announced early Saturday, likely will be one of several heralded by Trump on his visit to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has already said it wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, likely as a way to woo Trump to again pick the kingdom for his first formal trip as president. Trump travelled to Italy briefly for Pope Francis' funeral.
#Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response
'Enter at your own peril': Indian Navy's firing drills off Gujarat send strong signal to Pakistan
If India attacks Pakistan, China and Bangladesh should seize 7 NE states, says Yunus' aide
Trump's 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia upended a tradition of modern US presidents typically first heading to Canada, Mexico or the United Kingdom for their first trip abroad. It also underscored his administration's close ties to the rulers of the oil-rich Gulf states as his eponymous real estate company has pursued deals across the region.
The arms sale involves 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, guidance sections and other technical support. The missiles will be built by RTX Corp of Tucson, Ariz.
Continue to video
5
5
Next
Stay
Playback speed
1x Normal
Back
0.25x
0.5x
1x Normal
1.5x
2x
5
5
/
Skip
Ads by
The Royal Saudi Air Force has the world's second-largest fleet of F-15 fighter jets after the US.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region," the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
Live Events
The proposed sale now goes to the US Congress. Lawmakers typically weigh in on such sales and, in some cases, can block them.
Saudi Arabia has faced intense Congressional scrutiny for years, first for launching a war on Yemen's Houthi rebels back in 2015 that saw the kingdom's airstrikes kill civilians. Then a Saudi assassination team killed Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
The US intelligence community concluded the
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
, who likely will meet Trump on his visit this month and met with President Joe Biden in his term, ordered the operation against Khashoggi. The kingdom insists the prince was not involved in the killing.
Trump maintained close ties to the Gulf states after leaving office. His second administration has already given initial approval for the energy-rich Mideast nation of Qatar to buy eight armed MQ-9B Reaper drones for its military, a purchase estimated to be worth nearly $2 billion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Adani plans projects worth 17,500cr to expand CSMIA's capacity by '29
New Delhi: The Adani group has identified a string of projects — well over 310 that will require a capex of about Rs 17,500 crore by March 2029 — to augment the annual passenger handling capacity of Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to 6.5 crore passengers annually (CPA). The projects include building a bigger Terminal 1 in place of the existing terminal, expanding Terminal 2's capacity from 4 CPA to 4.5 CPA and increasing the hourly flight handling capacity to over 52. By 2029-30, the combined capacity of CSMIA and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to touch 11.5 CPA, to "cater to the growing demands of Mumbai region and Mumbai Metropolitan Region", shows an order issued by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) recently. Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) "has proposed extending existing taxiway M to link it with the physical beginning of runway 27, including the construction of a bridge over Mithi river. The proposed Taxiway M extension will create an additional holding area for aircraft.… It will be designed for Code F aircraft (that include Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380)," the order states. The hub had handled its highest ever passenger number of almost 5.5 crore in CY 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Campo Lope Seco (ver precio) Verisure Since last Feb, CSMIA which has a set of cross runways — making it essentially a single runway airport — is handling upto 44 flights (down from earlier 46) during "high intensity runway operations" (HIRO) periods from 8-11am and 5-8pm. And upto 42 aircraft movement per hour (down from earlier 44) during non-HIRO period. This is now set to get a big bost in the next 3-4 years. "Some of such projects identified for implementation for enabling the airport to cater to 6.5 CPA capacity are: Reconstruction of TI to enhance the capacity from 1.5 CPA to 2 CPA. Terminal 2 northwest pier (check-in facilities, construction of bus boarding Gates (V3) T2 expansion to enhance the capacity to 4.5 CPA. Additional aircraft parking stands in the southern side of runway 09-27," states the AERA order. The other steps include construction of parking stand, constructing an airside tunnel, and an eastern taxiway parallel to runway 14-32. AERA had asked MIAL to engage UK-based National Air Traffic Services (NATS) "to provide an independent high-level review of the infrastructure and forecast demand contained in CSMIA master plan. NATS has done a study and has confirmed the peak hour theoretical capacity of 55 ATMs (aircraft movement) based on its analysis benchmarking with other busy single runway airports like Gatwick but in respect to taxiway infrastructure, it has stated that the 'master plan changes appear to offer significant benefits, but they require more detailed assessment to confirm'. The phasing of the taxiway infrastructure changes should be reviewed to ensure that sufficient capacity is provided as demand grows," the order shows. MIAL has proposed a capex of Rs 17,440 crore in the fourth control period, that is upto March 31, 2029, on the capacity augmentation at CSMIA through the various identified projects related to key areas including airside improvement and passenger terminals. T1 is proposed to be reconstructed at a cost of Rs 3,130 crore by Sept 2028. T2 expansion is projected to cost Rs 142 crore and be over by March 2027. The air traffic control technical block is projected to cost Rs 185 crore and be done by March 2027.
Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump stumbles on Air Force One steps, internet says ‘Joe Biden vibes'
President Donald Trump stumbled while walking up the steps of Air Force One in New Jersey, on Sunday. The video quickly went viral on social media, with many comparing it to similar moments involving former President Joe Biden. One person wrote, 'Donald Trump just tripped on the stairs of Airforce One and almost fell on his face! Where's Jake Tapper and all the media who used to tell us every time Biden lost a step?' Another added, 'Trump stumbles while boarding Air Force One. Joe Biden vibes or maybe characteristics of body double.'
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
After tear gas and street fires, an Los Angeles community cleans up as National Guard troops arrive
COMPTON, Calif. — Ernest Melendrez woke up early Sunday to shovel tear gas pellets and other charred and broken detritus from his neighborhood's streets, the remnants of a battle between protesters demonstrating against immigration raids and federal and local authorities the night before. Melendrez wore a mask covering his nose and mouth, but he coughed often – it wasn't enough to protect him from remaining tear gas still in the air. Across the street, storefronts were covered in anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement graffiti. 'I think people have the right idea, just the wrong approach,' Melendrez said as cars whisked by him, some honking in appreciation or stopping to ask questions about the night before. 'Everybody has their own way of coping with stuff, and if nobody is there to help manage their feelings this is what can tend to happen. You need some community support.' Melendrez, his wife and daughter cleaned the streets that were obscured just hours earlier by huge clouds of tear gas fired by federal authorities. The protests prompted President Donald Trump to order National Guard troops deployed to downtown Los Angeles President Donald Trump says he's deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles to respond to immigration protests, over the objections of California Gov. Gavin the clashes. More protests were planned Sunday, and troops dressed in tactical gear were seen stationed outside Metropolitan Detention Center downtown, where hundreds of demonstrators clashed with federal authorities previously. Newsom has called Trump's order a 'complete overreaction.' A Home Depot about a block away from where Melendrez was cleaning was the epicenter of the previous night's struggle. On Sunday it was empty and calm; a lone worker cleaned graffiti off the store's sign as customers drove in. As federal officers in tactical gear fired tear gas and other nonlethal weapons in Compton and Paramount on Saturday, some protesters started a series of small fires that left black char on the streets. Graffiti was scrawled on a doughnut shop, a taqueria, a gas station and other locally owned businesses. On Sunday the damage was still raw and uncleaned in Compton, save for Melendrez's efforts, with spray-painted slogans such as 'What is America without Immigrants' all around. Launie Melendrez, who is married to Ernest, said she supported peaceful protest, and empathized with the families 'being destroyed, that are getting wrangled up. It's sad.' She looked around at the local businesses that had been damaged, and shook her head. 'The destruction of people's hard work. This is how these people, their families, take care of themselves. And the destruction of that is not going to help your case.' Given the breadth of the damage, neighbors said they were angry they were being left to clean up the mess. Melendrez's daughter, Elaina Angel, grew up in Compton and said she wasn't surprised. But it still left her feeling frustrated to see the Home Depot already reopened while her streets and local businesses were still marred by trash and graffiti. 'They don't care about Compton,' she said through her mask, stopping to cough from the irritation. She meant political leaders, law enforcement authorities and others who were nowhere to be seen Sunday morning. "But I don't think they were counting on us to come out and clean it up.'
