US plans UAE gunship sale worth up to $808 mln

[sabra]

http://today.reuters.com/stocks/QuoteCompanyNewsArticle.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-07-28T175139Z_01_WAT006133_RTRIDST_0_ARMS-UAE-USA-URGENT.XML&rpc=66

US plans UAE gunship sale worth up to $808 mln

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - The Bush administration said Friday it was planning to sell the United Arab Emirates Black Hawk helicopter gunships valued at up to $808 million to protect UAE borders and U.S. and coalition "strategic facilities."

The chief contractors would be United Technologies Corp.'s (UTX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Sikorsky Aircraft unit and General Electric Co. (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the Pentagon said in a notice to Congress required by law.

[jumpoffdaplanet]

1. But the UAE doesn't recognise Israel

I thought we didn't do business with Syria and Iran because of that.

I'm so-o-o-o confused!!!

[htuttle]

3. Neither does Pakistan, for that matter

Nor does Saudi Arabia, etc...

[Ezlivin]

4. But the UAE recognizes our defense contractors and have US dollars

That's all that matters.

Isn't diplomacy simplified when your only concern is profits?

[Sherman A1]

5. Money Talks and .......

walks.

[RobertSeattle]

2. Gunship?

Kind of strange wording since the generic use of a Black Hawk helicopter is troop transport. Of course you can load it full of weaponry to make it a "gunship".