U.S. proposes weapons sale to UAE [View All]

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http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/11/11/3090247/us-proposes-weapons-sale-to-uae

"The Obama administration reportedly is planning to sell thousands of advanced munitions to the United Arab Emirates.

The proposed sale would include 4,900 joint direct attack munitions -- including so-called "bunker-buster" bombs -- and is expected to be presented to Congress within the week, the Wall Street Journal reported. The sale is said to be part of an American effort to strengthen a regional coalition to counter Iran.

The munitions would expand the capabilities of the UAE air force to target fixed structures, including bunkers and tunnels, of the type in which Iran is believed to be developing nuclear weapons. The proposal comes on the heels of a U.N. report which found credible evidence that Iran's nuclear program has a military dimension.

The UAE has had strong trade relations with Iran, but the ruling al Nahyan family is considered hawkish towards Iran and has expressed fear of the country going nuclear."



http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/11/us-usa-uae-bombs-idUSTRE7AA0VT20111111


"Recent arms deals approved by the administration include a record $60 billion plan to sell Saudi Arabia advanced F-15 aircraft, some 2,000-pound (907-kg) JDAMs and other powerful munitions.

The U.S. government also approved the sale of a $7 billion terminal missile defense program to UAE that would be built by Lockheed Martin Corp.

Washington has also sought to build up missile-defense systems across the region, with the goal of building an integrated network to defend against short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles from Iran.

The UAE has a fleet of advanced U.S.-made F-16 fighters, also built by Lockheed, that could carry the JDAMs..."