July 22, 2006 -- Saudi Arabia has received approval from the Bush administration to purchase $6 billion worth of military equipment including 24 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, armored vehicles, radios, and other supplies. According to the Pentagon, the primary contractors for the sale include General Electric, Raytheon Corp, Harris Corp (NYSE HRS), and General Dynamics Corp. In its mandatory notice to Congress, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale would improve Saudi Arabia's ability to aid in the fight against terrorism and would strengthen the nation's military. Congress could block the sale within 30 days, but such moves are rare. The sale comes as military tensions in the Middle East are mounting with continued fighting between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon.
The agency said value of the 24 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters, along with parts, communications gear, and other equipment would total $350 million. Sikorsky and GE would be the primary helicopter contractors. The remainder of the sale, totaling up to $5.8 billion would cover 724 lightly armored vehicles from General Dynamics, 2,300 military radio systems from Harris Corp, and other equipment to improve the Saudi Arabian National Guard.

Source FinancialWire
Source Factiva