Saudi Arabia, US said to be in talks over arms sales

Washington is trying to sell tens of billions of dollars’ worth of arms to Saudi Arabia, some new, others in the pipeline, ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom this month, Reuters has reported, citing unnamed sources.

The United States has been the main supplier for most Saudi military needs, from F-15 fighter jets to command and control systems worth tens of billions of dollars in recent years.

The package includes a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system with several batteries, the sources said. Also being negotiated is a C2BMC software system for battle command and control and communications as well as a package of satellite capabilities, both provided by Lockheed.

One such deal, an $11.5 billion package of four multi-mission surface combatant ships and accompanying services and spares, was approved by the State Department in 2015.

The Obama administration suspended the planned sale because of concerns over the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen and civilian casualties.