An aircraft director guides an F/A-18C Hornet onto a catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. U.S. Navy photo
CNBC: Led by Saudi Arabia, Middle Eastern countries are the biggest buyers of US military equipment
* From combat aircraft to ships, Middle Eastern countries are the biggest buyers of U.S. military equipment.
* Between 2013 and 2017, the Middle East accounted for 49 percent of U.S. arms exports, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
* Saudi Arabia is America's No. 1 overall weapons buyer. In the last five years, Riyadh accounted for 18 percent of total U.S. arms sales, or about $9 billion.
WASHINGTON — From combat aircraft to ships, Middle Eastern countries are the biggest buyers of U.S. military equipment.
Between 2013 and 2017, the Middle East accounted for 49 percent of U.S. arms exports, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Saudi Arabia is America's No. 1 overall weapons buyer. In the last five years, Riyadh accounted for 18 percent of total U.S. arms sales, or about $9 billion.
audi Arabia's oil-rich monarchy is one of America's most crucial strategic partners and a significant patron of U.S. defense companies. The Saudi defense deals, which have been brokered over multiple U.S. administrations, have recently come under scrutiny due to Riyadh's role in the Yemen war and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
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WNU Editor: Considering the numbers of wars and conflicts that have engulfed the region in the past few years (and some that are still continuing), I am surprised that these Middle Eastern countries are not buying more.
