Saudi Arabia: US contracts for naval expansion

Reports of progress on US defence deals ahead of King Salman’s early September meeting with President Barack Obama focused on a $1bn-plus sale to the Royal Saudi Navy of two frigates, which are based on a coastal warship that Lockheed Martin Corporation has been building for the US Navy. US sources said the long-mooted Saudi Naval Expansion Programme II had been accelerated by Saudi concerns over Iran. Reuters also reported that other deals with maritime applications included the $1.9bn purchase of ten MH-60R helicopters.