Ant72LBA From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 411 posts, RR: 1 Posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2065 times:
Various sources (read it first on BBC) are reporting the prospect of three huge US weapon deals/aid packages to Saudi Arabia/Gulf states, Israel and Egypt.
Only systems mentioned are air-air missiles and JDAMs.
The prospect of an Israeli F-22 has been mooted on here before - one quote suggests Israel will retain a "qualitative edge" over other Middle Eastern nations.
USAF336TFS From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 1411 posts, RR: 53 Reply 1, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2045 times:
Fox News Business suggested that F-18 Super Hornets may be sold to Saudi Arabia. They'll need those to counter the threat Iran poses to the region. Should, by some miracle, the Israelis and Arab League come to some kind of a lasting peace agreement, perhaps pro-Isreal lobbyists in Congress will be less inclined to object to such a purchase by the Saudis.
I'm sure the Administration is also pressuring them to get a tighter hold on these madrases that the Kingdom sponsors as an incentive for the sale.
We'll see...
336th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB
Lumberton From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 4708 posts, RR: 21 Reply 2, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 1862 times:
Quoting USAF336TFS (Reply 1): Fox News Business suggested that F-18 Super Hornets may be sold to Saudi Arabia.
The timing is good, given BAE's problems with the bribery allegations on the "al Yamamah" deal. The PM of Israel, Mr. Olmert, came out in the news and basically stated that they won't oppose the deal. I'll be keenly interested in the details of this deal--particularly who gets what in the way of high performance aircraft. There will be a lot of noise made in the Congress, but I can see this deal going through.
Also, could this provide an opening for Boeing on the commercial side (buy a squadron of F-18s and we'll give you "a rate" on a bevy of 787s" )?
"When all is said and done, more will be said than done".
Quoting F27Friendship (Reply 27): another vivid example of exremely poor long term strategic planning. When will US govmnts ever learn from their mistakes?? You all remember that Iran got F-14s (or even worse, a rumoured american nuke) under the Shah, while shortly after, you didn;t want them to have those at all (because of a regime change).
Lumberton From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 4708 posts, RR: 21 Reply 4, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1831 times:
Quoting Lumberton (Reply 34): I sincerely hope this thread can continue. Geopolitics is an integral part of military sales, particularly as involves high performance aircraft. Difficult to divorce the one from the other.
Quoting USAF336TFS (Reply 31):
From what I've read, SEpilots opinions are based in his personal Faith. You may or may not agree with his opinions. But attacking him personally is beneath you. Had someone attacked you personally, I would be among the first to say something about it, whether I agree with your points or not.
Can we refrain from this?
That said, since we have no reliable crystal ball, nor am I aware that anyone else has one, I suspect this weapons deal will proceed.
"When all is said and done, more will be said than done".
A342 From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 4655 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1808 times:
Quoting USAF336TFS (Reply 1): Fox News Business suggested that F-18 Super Hornets may be sold to Saudi Arabia. They'll need those to counter the threat Iran poses to the region.
IMO, the only reason to buy the F-18 is the need for a cheap "bomb truck". Otherwise, the F-16, more F-15s or more Eurofighters would be a better alternative.
Lumberton From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 4708 posts, RR: 21 Reply 7, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1807 times:
Quoting A342 (Reply 6): more F-15s or more Eurofighters would be a better alternative.
Frankly, my money would be on more Typhoons if not for the kickback allegations being aired in the press.
"When all is said and done, more will be said than done".
USAF336TFS From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 1411 posts, RR: 53 Reply 9, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1763 times:
I dunno if I'd call the SuperBug a bomb truck. It's certainly an underrated fighter IMHO.
336th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11948 posts, RR: 37 Reply 10, posted (5 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1680 times:
The prospect of Iran entering into a huge arms deal with Russia seems to be cited by some advocating this; apparently, the Iranians are getting SU-30s - a prospect, incidentally, described by the Russians as "delusional".
Of course, if this arms deal goes ahead - whoever is involved, the Iranians will probably want to proceed with this arms deal anyway and this being the case, what possible progress on Iranian nuclear issues? The Russians are hardly going to rock the boat if Iran is going to buy a few billion dollars worth of aircraft off them?
Lumberton From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 4708 posts, RR: 21 Reply 11, posted (5 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1678 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 10): The prospect of Iran entering into a huge arms deal with Russia seems to be cited by some advocating this; apparently, the Iranians are getting SU-30s - a prospect, incidentally, described by the Russians as "delusional".
Quote: Meanwhile, Israeli media reports last week that Iran is in negotiations to buy 250 Sukhoi Su-30s to replace its entire fighter arsenal were denied by Russian arms export firm Rosoboronexport, which called the reports a "delusion".
A London-based newspaper has also reported that Iran may seek to acquire MiG-31s and Su-30s from Syria, which is also reportedly in negotiations with Rosoboronexport.
The truth may take several months to unwind, but some US analysts already foresee a broad rebalancing of military strength in the region.
For instance, the proposed US assistance agreements and the threat of Iranian arms deals could pave the way for sales of fifth-generation fighters to Israel and other Gulf states, as well as more sophisticated air defence systems, says Norman Polmar, a Washington DC-based military affairs expert.
"When all is said and done, more will be said than done".
F27Friendship From Netherlands, joined Jul 2007, 1113 posts, RR: 5 Reply 12, posted (5 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 1662 times:
I believe they indeed usually sell to a 'friendly' country whom is less discutable (like in this case Syria) who then sells them to Iran..
I'd be much more worried about Libya, who now more or less back on the list of "decent countries" and are trying to re-arm themselves.. let's hope no one is stupid enough to sell them new high tech aircraft believing they are now a stable and reliable partner in Northern-Africa..
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