Article Posted on : - Dec 30, 2011

A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft.

WASHINGTON (BNS): The US has signed a major defence contract to sell F-15 fighter aircraft worth $30 billion to Saudi Arabia, Obama administration announced on Thursday.

"The United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a government-to-government agreement under the foreign military sales programme to provide advanced F-15SA combat aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force," White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Joshua Earnest said.

The agreement includes the sale of 84 new F-15 fighters and an upgrade of 70 others as well as munitions, spare parts, training, maintenance and logistics.

"This agreement reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates the US commitment to a strong Saudi defence capability as a key component to regional security," Earnest said in a statement.