RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans to raise its arms purchases from the United States to $90 billion from the $60 billion announced last year, as the kingdom seeks to upgrade it navy, diplomats in the Gulf said this week.

Last year, US officials said Riyadh planned to buy $60 billion worth of military aircraft, including upgrades to existing fleets.

Saudi forces helped Bahrain put down a pro-democracy protest movement this year, fearing that Iran was backing the opposition. They also clashed over a year ago with rebels in Yemen, where protesters are seeking the removal of veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh, a Saudi ally.

“There is a plan for Saudi Arabia to spend an extra $30 billion to upgrade its navy fleet,” said a western diplomat in the Gulf.

“This extra amount also includes maintenance and training for the forces,” another Gulf-based diplomat said.

A Saudi government adviser said he expected the deal to upgrade the navy fleet would be completed soon.

“The chances this deal won`t be finalised are very remote. The money will basically be used to update the eastern fleet,” he said, adding the upgrade was part of a separate programme to the $60 billion plan announced last year.

US officials said last year the $60 billion programme would be complete in 15 to 20 years. It was not clear over how many years the $30 billion addition would last.

Saudi Arabia has been alarmed by the protest movements that removed allies such as Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. Small demonstrations have been staged in the kingdom`s main oil-producing Eastern Province.

“Saudi Arabia is getting more aggressive in its foreign policy and is trying to match that by increasing its arms to meet the increasing challenges that it`s faced with today,” said Theodore Karasik, a Dubai-based military analyst.

“These challenges range from what`s going to happen next in Yemen to the increased risk of piracy in its waters — that`s why they are trying to boost their land and navy fleets.” —Reuters