Saudi Arabia buys 84 US fighter jets

An official source at the Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that based on keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to provide the best defensive capabilities for all sectors of the Saudi armed forces, an agreement was reached between the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America through the program of foreign sales at the USA''s Defense Department for the purchase of 84 advanced fighter aircraft of the type F-15 SA, upgrade of the 70 aircraft of the type F-15 currently in the possession of the Royal Saudi Air Force in addition to 70 Apache combat helicopters of the third generation, 72 multi-purpose helicopters of the type Black Hawk, 36 armed reconnaissance helicopters of the type EH 60 I, and 12 helicopters of the type MD 530 F. The agreement also covers ammunition, spare parts, maintenance, training and support over many years to ensure the Kingdom''s acquiring of the highest possible level of defense capabilities to protect its people and territory, the source told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). (QNA) SSS/f l