On US President Donald Trump's birthday on June 14, there will be a military parade, as the US military celebrates 250 years since its creation on the same date, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Plans call for about 6,600 soldiers to march from Arlington, Virginia, to the “National Mall“ park in Washington along with 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters. Until recently, the military's plans for its birthday did not include a large-scale parade, which officials say will cost tens of millions of dollars, the Associated Press notes.
Trump has long wanted a military parade in the United States. During his first term, he ordered the Pentagon to look into the issue after attending a military parade on the Champs-Élysées with French President Emmanuel Macron in 2017, Reuters recalls.
The Associated Press specifies that talks with the Pentagon about holding a military parade in conjunction with Trump's birthday festival began less than two months ago. The US president will turn 79 on June 14.
In a statement on Friday, Army spokesman Steve Warren said the army's birthday celebration would include a "spectacular fireworks display, parade and day-long festival on the National Mall."
The US State Department has approved a possible $3.5 billion military deal with Saudi Arabia. dollars for the sale of medium-range air-to-air missiles and related support, Reuters reported, citing the Pentagon.
The United States is ready to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion during US President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom this month.
Saudi Arabia has requested 1,000 medium-range air-to-air missiles, known as AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles), 50 guidance sections and other equipment, including spare parts, as well as logistical support services.
The Pentagon's Security Cooperation Agency briefed Congress on the possible sale on Friday. Despite the State Department's approval, this does not mean that the contract has been signed or that negotiations have been completed, Reuters notes.
The main contractor will be the "RTX" corporation (RTX), according to the Pentagon.
The State Department has also approved a possible sale of tactical missiles to Norway worth $370.9 million, Reuters reported.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale, training and support for F-16s, along with related equipment, to Ukraine for $310 million, the Pentagon said, as cited by Reuters.
A few days ago, Ukraine and the United States signed an economic agreement that gives Washington preferential access to new deals for Ukrainian minerals and an investment fund for Ukraine's reconstruction.
Kiev previously received F-16 fighter jets from U.S. allies with the consent of the previous U.S. administration of President Joe Biden, which promised the country more than $31 billion in weapons and equipment.
The sale to Ukraine approved by the Trump administration could include upgrades and modifications, pilot training, maintenance, spare parts, repair, classified software and others.