The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced that the State Department has approved the sale of weapons and ammunition to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, valued at over $2.2 billion.
According to separate press releases issued by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Saudi Arabia has been approved to purchase Hellfire II missiles for $655 million, along with ammunition for artillery systems, machine guns, and tanks valued at approximately $139 million, and missiles and support programs worth $252 million. The UAE has also been approved for a potential sale of munitions worth $1.2 billion.
The details of the UAE deal include the purchase of 259 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), 1,554 M31A1 rockets, and 203 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). The deal also includes training programs, software development, and engineering and logistics support services.
For Saudi Arabia, the first deal included approval for the sale of 220 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical missiles valued at $252 million, including training, technical, and logistical support programs. The second deal included artillery systems, machine guns, tanks, and other equipment worth $139 million, including 10,000 M456 105mm anti-tank rounds, as well as various ammunition for tanks, howitzers, machine guns, and hand grenades. The third deal included the sale of 2,503 AGM-114R3 Hellfire II missiles, along with technical and logistical support programs.
The statement indicated that these deals will advance U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by supporting the security of important regional partners, contributing to political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
It will also enhance the capabilities of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to confront current and future threats by modernizing their armed forces. The statements affirmed that these deals and the accompanying support “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
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