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.
An air defence system operated by Greek military personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted a swarm of drones on Thursday in the wider Yanbu region, home to major oil refining facilities, Greek security sources told Reuters.
President Donald Trump has transmitted a draft civilian nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, insisting it will only be approved if Riyadh normalizes relations with Israel, a US administration official told Reuters on Tuesday.
Turkey's ruling AK Party welcomes the dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces as an important step towards strengthening Syrian unity, a spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan's party said on Wednesday.
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