High-Tech U.S. Bombs To Be Built In Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump (L) and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Riyadh May 20, 2017. © Mandel Ngan / AFP

NBC: Under Trump arms deal, high-tech U.S. bombs to be built in Saudi Arabia

Democrats in Congress say the administration should not hand the Saudis valuable weapons tech given the kingdom's conduct in Yemen and its human rights record.

WASHINGTON — A controversial arms deal for Arab allies approved by the Trump administration will allow U.S. hi-tech bomb parts to be manufactured in Saudi Arabia, giving Riyadh unprecedented access to a sensitive weapons technology.

The production arrangement is part of a larger $8.1 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan announced two weeks ago. The Trump administration pressed ahead with the sale without congressional approval, declaring an "emergency" based on what it said was a heightened threat from Iran.

The deal came as a surprise to lawmakers, who were outraged that the administration chose to bypass Congress. But most members of Congress only learned days after the deal was announced May 24 that it opens the door for Saudi Arabia to host the production of electronic guidance and control systems for Paveway precision-guided bombs, congressional aides said.

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WNU Editor: This is just the tip of the iceberg .... President Trump Signs Massive $350 Billion Arms Deal With The Saudi King (May 20, 2017).