Sale of Abrams Tanks to Saudi Arabia
Abstract
President Bush has informed the Congress of his intent to sell Saudi Arabia 315 M1A2 Abrams tanks, along with support equipment, spare parts, ammunition, and training, in response to a request by the Saudi Arabian Government. It is United States policy to provide for the legitimate security and defense needs of our moderate Arab friends. This sale will demonstrate to the Saudi Government as well as to others in the region that the United States supports Saudi Arabia's reasonable, responsible efforts to improve its national security. It will enhance the deterrent value of Saudi forces that guard natural resources of critical strategic importance to the United States and the West. It will preserve the interoperability between Saudi and US forces that proved so valuable and successful during the Persian Gulf operations resulting from the Iran-Iraq War. It will reinforce the mutual trust and confidence that have existed between Saudi and American forces for 45 years. Finally, it will provide a $3 billion boost on the export side of the US balance of payments ledger, tens of thousands of man-years of employment, and over $680 million in savings and revenues to the US Treasury. Keywords: Foreign military sales.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 12, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA216020
Entities
Organizations
- foreign affairs ministry