Kerry hails $2.1 billion arms deal with Oman
MUSCAT, Oman
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hailed yesterday what U.S. officials said was an estimated $2.1 billion deal for Oman to buy a ground-based air defense system from U.S. defense contractor Raytheon Co.“I wanted to come here to be able to thank you and to celebrate with you the Raytheon initiative for the $1.6 billion dollar air defense system which Oman is going to put in place,” Kerry said as he met Oman’s defense minister. A senior U.S. State Department official said yesterday the deal’s value was in fact expected to be $2.1 billion, though the exact ontent were still under negotiation. The air defense system would help protect Oman against missile, drone or fighter aircraft attacks.