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Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
US approves $304 million missile sale to Turkey as ties warm up
The US approved the sale of $304 million-worth of missiles to Turkey as the NATO allies work to strengthen trade and defense ties. The deal, which still needs Congressional sign-off, came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Turkey to attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers on Thursday. Rubio is expected to travel on to Istanbul the following day for potential talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials about a ceasefire. Turkey has requested 53 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles at an estimated cost of $225 million and 60 Block II missiles at $79.1 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. The RTX Corporation will be the principal contractor for the sales. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been looking for a tentative meeting with US President Donald Trump to reset strained relations stemming from Ankara's purchase of a Russian missile-defense system and Washington's support for a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey views as a threat to the country, among other disputes. Turkey and the US have been holding talks over the integration of the US-backed Kurdish forces, who have links to a separatist Turkish group, the PKK, into a new Syrian army. Earlier this week, the PKK announced it would lay down its arms to end a 40-year war for autonomy against Turkey, a historic step that could strengthen Ankara's aspirations to become a regional powerhouse. The US and Turkey have the two largest armies in NATO, giving them good reason to maintain their seven-decade alliance. As the Pentagon plans to consolidate operations in Syria and draw down troops to less than 1,000, Ankara is offering several thousand Turkish soldiers already stationed across the border to help stabilize its war-ravaged neighbor. At the same time, Turkey is prepared to assist in monitoring a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine across the Black Sea, in line with the US goal of stabilizing the region. Turkey has repeatedly expressed its intention to add F-35 warplanes to its planned arms purchases, although this will require the US to lift a ban on Ankara from buying the fifth-generation fighter imposed following its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile-defense system. Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400s resulted in a deadlock with Washington, prompting the latter to impose sanctions known as CAATSA, that targeted the nation's defense industry and removed it from the F-35 development program. Ankara has refused to jettison the S-400s as demanded by Washington but it has high hopes that Trump could agree to amend the CAATSA to enable Turkey to buy F-35 jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp. Resolving the spat over the Russian S-400 missiles could lead to an unprecedented increase in defense-industry cooperation between the longtime allies. Outside of defense, Turkey has been considering an increase of liquefied natural gas imports from the US and is working to finalize an order for Boeing Co. aircraft.
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Biggest Arms Deal in History a Win for Trump
As President Donald Trump tours the Middle East, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a historic $142 billion arms deal that according to the White House was the largest defense sales agreement in history. The U.S. has recently finalized a series of arms deals with Gulf allies worth multiple billions of dollars, signaling Washington's continued strategic tilt toward regional partners amid escalating tensions with Iran and rivalry with Russia and China. The U.S. is deepening defense ties with Gulf allies through multi-billion-dollar arms deals as Trump returns to the region, reaffirming America's military foothold in a region increasingly eyed by China and Russia. "The sales that we intend to complete fall into five broad categories: air force advancement and space capabilities, air and missile defense, maritime and coastal security, border security and land forces modernization, and information and communication systems upgrades," the White House said in a statement. Earlier this month, the State Department approved a $3.5 billion sale of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles to Saudi Arabia, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. In March, the U.S. approved the sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) to the kingdom costing nearly $100 million upon the kingdom's request to buy 2,000 high precision weapons, the agency said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said both countries had worked "to take on terrorism and all its manifestations today, with groups like the Houthis," as he met with Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, the Saudi Defense Minister, in February. The U.S. recently approved the sale of advanced MQ-9B drones to Qatar for nearly $2 billion, the first sale of its kind to the region, aimed at enhancing the defense capabilities of the country that hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. Trump's ties with Qatar haver been boosted by its supporting role in brokering the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel. White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Doha on Tuesday evening in an effort to broker a new hostage-release and ceasefire deal, according to Axios. The relationship has recently come under scrutiny after Trump said he would accept a $400 million luxury plane as a gift from Qatar's royal family-though not yet confirmed by Qatar-to be used as Air Force One and transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation after he leaves office. As Trump headed to Riyadh, the State Department approved the sale of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.32 billion to the United Arab Emirates - another key regional ally. "The UAE will use these assets in search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated. White House in Tuesday statement: "Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history-nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms." Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, wrote on May 8: "The Middle East remains a key arena for geopolitical competition, and the fact that President Trump is making his first scheduled overseas trip in his second term to the Middle East sends a message that he is prioritizing the region." With Trump eyeing other big deals from Middle East partners, the U.S. is committed to enhance security and defense cooperation with key allies that also reinforce the strategic role of the United States. Related Articles The Stupidity of Law Firms Giving Up on the Law | OpinionSocial Security Users To Get $4,000 Boost in Payments: Who Is Eligible?Sky-High Corruption From Our Government of Gangsters | OpinionTrump Visits Saudi Arabia, Seeks $1 Trillion in Deals: Live Updates 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US State Department approves sale of F-16 training, support services for Ukraine
The U.S. State Department has approved up to $310.5 million in F-16 training and support services for Ukraine, signaling continued White House backing for Kyiv. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency confirmed the news in an official statement, noting that Ukraine had requested "equipment and services in support of its F-16 aircraft." The equipment and services include "aircraft modifications and upgrades; personnel training related to operation, maintenance, and sustainment support; spare parts." The decision still needs a Congressional signoff. The proposed sale will improve Ukraine's security, as it has been "a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe." Additionally, the sale will improve "Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring its pilots are effectively trained" and contribute to the "overall modernization of Ukraine's air force." Ukraine most recently received a shipment of F-16 fighter jets in March 2025. In April, the U.S. also announced that more were being prepared for transfer to Ukraine. Several countries, including Belgium, Denmark, the , and , have contributed F-16 fighter jets and training to bolster Ukraine's defense efforts. F-16s are used in both offensive and defensive operations. The aircraft have been used for intercepting Russian missiles and drones during aerial strikes against Ukraine. They could also be deployed to launch missiles and bombs at Russian positions along the front line. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Bloomberg
02-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Approves Up to $350 Million in Ukraine F-16 Training, Support
The US State Department approved F-16 fighter-jet training and services for Ukraine worth up to $350 million, signaling that the White House will keep supporting Kyiv in the fight against Russia despite President Donald Trump's impatience to end the war. The approval by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which still needs Congressional signoff, covers services including personnel training, modifications, repairs, ground handling and software upgrades, it said in a statement Friday.
India.com
02-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Pahalgam terror attack: More worry for Pakistan as US decides to give THIS weapons to India... it can destroy Islamabad in...
Pahalgam terror attack: More worry for Pakistan as US decides to give THIS weapons to India... it can destroy Islamabad in... Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, tensions are increasing between India and Pakistan. At a time when the US has asked both the nations to tone down the tensions, it has decided to give India important military hardware and logistical support worth US $ 131 million cementing the strengthening relations between India and America. According to a report, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), an organisation working under the Pentagon, has given the necessary certificate for the supply of military hardware. The US government has also informed the US Congress about this. 'The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats by bolstering its maritime domain awareness, analytical capabilities, and strategic posture. India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Hawkeye 360, located in Herndon, VA,' it added. Trump wants India to buy more weapons from America Former US President Donald Trump wants India to buy more weapons from the US. The approval for supply of defense material to India has come at a time when the Trump administration is pressuring India to increase military purchases from the US. This supply under 'Foreign Military Sales' is linked to India-US cooperation under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Program. This means that the US will help India to keep an eye on the maritime area. What is military support hardware? According to the US government, 'The State Department has approved the sale of Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness and related equipment to India for approximately 131 million USD . That is, the US will sell equipment to India for maritime surveillance in the Indo-Pacific region. According to the US, India had expressed its desire to buy 'Sea-Vision Software', 'Remote Software' and 'Analytic Support'. Apart from this, India also wanted 'Sea-Vision' documentation and other things related to logistics. Sea-Vision software is a system that helps in monitoring ships and other activities in the sea. The new military hardware that India will get will increase its ability to monitor its maritime sector. This will help India to detect and deal with threats. Along with this, India's strategic position will also be strengthened. America says that India will easily incorporate these equipment and services in its army. Turkey denies supplying arms to Pakistan A few days ago, there were reports that Turkey was supplying arms and ammunition to Pakistan. The reports said that a Turkish C-130E Hercules aircraft had landed in Karachi, carrying military equipment. Some media reports even said that about six C-130E aircraft had landed in Pakistan. However, Turkey has denied these reports. The Communications Directorate of the Turkish President's Office said that a Turkish cargo plane had landed in Pakistan only for refueling . Turkish officials said on social media that 'the claims circulated in some media outlets about Turkey sending six planes loaded with weapons to Pakistan are not true'. This means that Turkey did not send any weapons to Pakistan.
