Guide Note

A senior official in the Bush Administration confirmed on July 28, 2007 that the United States is developing an arms package that will be sold to Saudi Arabia.¹ The proposed deal would continue over 10 years. The combined worth of the weapons and technologies in the package is estimated to be about $20 billion. The deal is not fully confirmed, since it must first be approved by the U.S. Congress.

Fast Facts

1. Arms deal would include both weapons and technology
2. Deal would be worth about $20 billion
3. Would take place over ten years
4. It has not yet been approved by U.S. Congress
5. White House official only confirmed that the deal was being planned
6. Official spoke on condition of anonymity²

The deal would serve two mutually-beneficial purposes. First, supplying Saudi Arabia with advanced weaponry will enhance the country's ability to counter Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf.² It will also strengthen U.S.-Saudi Relations, which have been strained since the United States began the War on Terror.