WASHINGTON D.C.-U.S. Officials announced yesterday that the United States would sell 84 new F-15SA fighter jets and upgrades for 70 existing aircraft to Saudi Arabia for nearly $29.4 billion. The upgrades include munitions, spare parts, training, maintenance and logistics. The aircraft are produced by the Boeing Company.

The sale was discussed during a joint State Department and Defense Department briefing yesterday. James N. Miller, principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy, and Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs were on-hand to discuss the details of the agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Miller said during the briefing, “The United States is firmly committed to the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as we have been for nearly seven decades, and … more broadly, the United States and Saudi Arabia have a strong mutual interest in the security and stability of the Gulf,” he added, the F-15s Saudi Arabia will receive “will have the latest generation of computing power, radar technology, infrared sensors and electronic warfare systems.”

The White House also released a statement saying, “This agreement will positively impact the U.S. economy and further advances the president’s commitment to create jobs by increasing exports. According to industry experts, this agreement will support more than 50,000 American jobs, engaging 600 suppliers in 44 states, and providing $3.5 billion in annual economic impact to the U.S. economy.”

The White House also stated, “This agreement reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a strong Saudi defense capability as a key component to regional security.”