HONOLULU (AP) — The Obama administration has finalized the sale of $30 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, boosting the military strength of a key U.S. ally in the Middle East to help counter Iran.
Under the terms of the agreement, the U.S. will send Saudi Arabia 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more.
The White House says the fighter jets will be manufactured by Boeing, and will support more than 50,000 U.S. jobs.
The fighter jet sale is part of a larger 10-year, $60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. It also includes helicopters, a broad array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems, as well as radar warning systems and night-vision goggles.
White House officials announced the deal from Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is vacationing.
