Saudi gorging US weapons like crazy

WASHINGTON— The United States is close to completing a series of arms deals for Saudi Arabia totaling more than $100 billion, a senior White House official said on Friday, a week ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Riyadh. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the arms package could end up surpassing more than $300 billion over a decade to help Saudi boost its defensive capabilities while still maintaining US ally Israel’s qualitative military edge over its neighbors. The United States has been the main supplier for most Saudi military needs, from F-15 fighter jets to command and control systems. The package includes American arms and maintenance, ships, air missile defense and maritime security, the official said.—