Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
That's why it is my contention they need more education to stem the radicalized wahabi movement - their threat is internal and can't be fought with weapons. The US will take care of any outside threat.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
That's why it is my contention they need more education to stem the radicalized wahabi movement - their threat is internal and can't be fought with weapons. The US will take care of any outside threat.
most of these new acquisitions are sophisticated Fighters, Payloads, Missile Defense and Naval Warships...
Saudis need to concentrate on their Army instead of their Air Force or Navy...
Especially their Infantry Divisions and Special Forces..
Their Armor Divisions have better equipment than the Americans in Iraq
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
I don't want to sell the Saudis *anything *thatany future radicalized government can use against others (including us). That's why I think we need to sell them textbooks, not weapons.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
they aretrying to ignite the old arab vs ajam conflict this time with a sectarian twist ...hopefully muslims would not be stupid to fall for it this time like they did in the 80s]
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
^^ what makes you think they already haven't fallen?
look at Iraq or Lebanon
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
I don't want to sell the Saudis *anything *thatany future radicalized government can use against others (including us). That's why I think we need to sell them textbooks, not weapons.
What about those hillybillys who would have to pump cheese if their factories shut down due to lack of work? HUH? huh huh??? :(
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
^what are you on about dude
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
^^ The same reason Pakistani f16s deal was done because people in texas would lose their jobs if there was no work.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
Oh please. The Saudis have no work ethic. If they could hire Pakistani pilots to reliably fly the fighters for them they would. Most of the Saudi pilots are the idle unemployed sons of Saudi royalty who split time riding polo ponies and spending weekends in Dubai. I am overjoyed that Saudi is spending on American goods, but if the American technicians ever pull out of Saudi, most of the fleet would be grounded in a week. See the Iranian Air Farce for a fine example of this. JDAM bombs only work if the GPS (American military controlled) is turned on and properly calibrated. This is nothing but a counter to Iranian sword rattling. It is a little like watching two drunks fight. Lot's of dust and noise but little chance that a blow is landed.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
Its prime time for Arab monarchs to pull their
As always, the arms are probably downgraded (i.e. like the F-15's). KSA should diversify its weapons suppliers, but it doesn't. That indicates only one thing.
What Saudi Needs to do is invest in Military Academies. Get British and American teachers and teach them the proper way to fly planes, drive tanks, conduct maneuvers, sail warships, etc....
They also need to get the SAS and the Navy SEALS to set up training camps for the Saudi Armed Forces.
Saudi Arabia needs to invest in making its personnel more effective rather than getting expensive toys from America.
KSA needs alot of things. But you have to remember, these things (i.e. education, training, etc) can lead to revolts against the current corrupt monarchs. The only way to keep control here is by depriving the population of education, and forcing strict laws that don't apply to the Royal Family. In this case, power is more important than national security.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
^^^
why would Arab Monarchs would do that!!! or more importantly why would American would let Arab Monarchs to do it!!!
If Arab leaders have to respond to the feeling of their people, American interests in the region will be damaged, America will never allow that, he need nuts to rule theese countries... and current Monarchs of Arab world are best fitted in the Job...
US-Saudi deal is of no consiquence, it will not by any mean shift the balance of power ( between Israel and Saudis), all it will do is give Iran with certain level of discomfort and distribution of the Arms to Suadi-backed "mujahids" in Iraq to fight Iran-Backed "mujahids".
I often wonder that this is the same case of Afghan-Russia war, now America with the help of Saudis is feeding them, once their job is done, they will be considered risk for Saudia's existance hence Saudi will face more or less same sitaution what Pakistan is facing today...
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
Ohio hillybilly, you ought to know iran is switching to flankers. They have plans to buy 250 of them! 
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mh/paris062107/index.php?startpage=10
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
Flankers are no match for the US Air power in the Middle East
Remember in 1982, Syria bought shiny new planes from Russia. The Israeli Jets had one small advantage over them which was BVR Missiles. (Beyond visual range missiles and targetting system.)
Syrians lost 82 planes.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
^^ This isn't 1982 anymore - things change.
I am sure Iran can easily gain access to BVR Missiles. But without AWACS, IIAF won't stand a chance.
why would Arab Monarchs would do that!!! or more importantly why would American would let Arab Monarchs to do it!!!
Arab monarchs don't see the loss ahead, and if they do, they are not preparing for it.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
BVR is not one “small” advantage.
Granted AWACS will be a problem but I don’t think it is for the US than it is a “show of force” towards the gulf nations. The arms that saudis etc are buying are just free $$$ for the US like the Tornado deal with brits. If US can downgrade stuff that it gave to PAF [forget aid, we did “pay” for some stuff] then they will do the same for america. Unless saudis launch a satellite, it pretty much depends on the US if the JDAMs and other PGMs actually “find” their “target”.. 
Israel is again a winner, since it will get newer expensive toys to “maintain the balance” when nothing really is going to be changed…
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
PS What does the flanker deal mean for Indo-Iran relationships as India will license manufacture the flankers. If russians don't do a tech transfer [under US pressure] to Iran then will Iran grow more closer to India, which itself will be under US pressure to be against Iran?
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
^^ Off topic.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
^^ This isn't 1982 anymore - things change.
I am sure Iran can easily gain access to BVR Missiles. But without AWACS, IIAF won't stand a chance.
How can Iran gain access to BVR Missiles when Pakistan had to fight tooth and nail with USA to include that in the F-16 deal. BVR requires advance electronics embedded in the missile as well as the plane in which it uses long range radar to scour enemy planes and fires a missile which doesn't use a heat signature to zero in on target but long range GPS and radar guidance system.
This is a very complex mechanism and I don't think Russia is ready to sell this kind of weaponry to Iran. From the countries that buy Russian Arms, only India and China have this.
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
How can Iran gain access to BVR Missiles when Pakistan had to fight tooth and nail with USA to include that in the F-16 deal.
SD10
BVR requires advance electronics embedded in the missile as well as the plane in which it uses long range radar to scour enemy planes and fires** a missile which doesn't use a heat signature** to zero in on target** but long range GPS and radar guidance system.**
or INS or anti-radar guidance.. its not that hard to build/develop/maintain.
Who says a BVRm cannot use heat signatures for guidance? Ever heard of the MICA?
Re: US To Sell Arms worth $20 Billion to Saudi Arabia
SD10
whats SD10..
I googled SD10 and I got was a camera
or INS or anti-radar guidance.. its not that hard to build/develop/maintain.
then why don't more countries have such technologies?