US-Saudi Arabia seal weapons deal worth $110 billion

May 21 |  Yamanyoon

United States President Donald Trump has closed an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth almost $110 billion, and extending up to $350 billion over 10 years.

The White House announced on Saturday the $110 billion deal will take effect immediately.

“This package of defense equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the (Persian) Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, while also bolstering the Kingdom’s ability to contribute to counter terrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on the U.S. military to conduct those operations,” the White House said in a statement.

Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson “will attend a signing ceremony for the deals,” according to a White House official.

The deal is a victory for Trump as his political pressures intensify at home due to campaign’s alleged links to Russia, and the abrupt dismissal of former FBI Director James Comey.

The pact includes a $6 billion contract to assemble 150 Lockheed Martin Blackhawk helicopters in Saudi Arabia, an official statement about the deal said.

The deal also includes a $1 billion THAAD missile system and contract for four multi-mission warships worth $11.5 billion, according to an unnamed official cited in media.

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