The US State Department announced Wednesday it had approved a potential $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, as hostilities intensify across the Middle East.
The US Navy describes the APKWS as an inexpensive way to destroy targets while limiting collateral damage in close combat © Navair
The US State Department announced Wednesday it had approved a potential $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, as hostilities intensify across the Middle East.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region," the State Department said in a statement.
The package includes up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS-II) air-to-air guidance sections and up to 10,000 APKWS-II air-to-ground guidance sections, along with launchers, warheads, rocket motors, fuses, spare parts, training equipment and logistics support.
The US Navy describes the APKWS as an inexpensive way to destroy targets while limiting collateral damage in close combat. BAE Systems, based in Nashua, New Hampshire, will serve as the principal contractor.
The State Department said the sale would strengthen Saudi Arabia's ability to deter current and future threats by reinforcing its homeland defense and improving interoperability with US, regional and NATO forces.
The approval comes as Houthi rebels launched missiles toward Saudi Arabia on Monday, after accusing Riyadh of striking Sanaa airport, reigniting the Yemen conflict after years of relative calm.
It also follows a sharp escalation between Washington and Tehran, with the US intensifying strikes against Iran after reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
A separate $484 million sustainment package for Kuwait's C-17 fleet was also approved the same day.
Yemen's Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday, breaking a four-year truce in the conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls northern Yemen accused Saudi Arabia on Monday of launching airstrikes against the international airport in Sanaa, and vowed to retaliate.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Damascus on Tuesday, becoming the first Western head of state to travel to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
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