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.