Multi-Billion Dollar US-Saudi and Russia-Iran Arms Deals Announced

In what appears to be a return to the old days of the Cold War, two massive Middle Eastern arms deals have been announced, with Russia selling to Iran and the US to other regional powers including Saudi Arabia.

Russia is to sell 250 long-range Su-30 fighters and refuelling tankers to Iran in its biggest arms deal in 30 years, a deal which will transform the Iranian air force into a military arm rivalling that of nearby Israel.

The Americans, meanwhile, have struck a multi-billion dollar deal with Saudi Arabia to supply thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) units, a munitions upgrade which will transform existing free-fall bombs into guided smart bombs.