Helicopters fly in formation during a annual parade in preparation for Haj pilgrimage in Mecca September 17, 2015. ReUTERS Muhammad Masood File Photo Ahmad Masood
WASHINGTON, Sept 16 Reuters - - The U.S. State Department has approved a potential agreement covering up to $500 million in military support services for Saudi Arabia, and sent the agreement to Congress for review on Thursday.
It was the first major defense agreement for Saudi Arabia submitted to Congress since President Joe Biden took office on 20 Jan. 2017. It comes after criticism of U.S. relations to Yemen over its human rights record and participation in the civil war in Yemen. The package would provide ongoing maintenance support services for a broad range of helicopters, including a future fleet of CH - 47 D Chinook helicopters. The announcement said the vendor was not known yet.
This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East, State Department said in a statement.