The United States has given initial approval for a potential $3.5 billion sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, an arms deal announced ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned trip to the region later this month.
The proposed sale involves 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, along with guidance sections and technical support. RTX Corp of Tucson, Ariz., will build the missiles. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated the sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security by enhancing the security of a partner contributing to regional stability and economic progress.
This potential deal is expected to be among several highlighted during Trump’s visit to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has previously indicated intentions to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over four years, seen by some as an effort to encourage Trump to make Saudi Arabia his first foreign destination as president again. Trump’s 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia marked a departure from the tradition of new U.S. presidents first visiting Canada, Mexico, or the United Kingdom, underscoring his administration’s close ties with Gulf states, a region where his real estate company has also pursued deals.
The proposed sale now requires review by the U.S. Congress, which has the authority to block such transactions. Saudi Arabia has faced considerable Congressional scrutiny in recent years. This includes criticism over its 2015 intervention in Yemen against Houthi rebels, which resulted in civilian casualties from airstrikes, and the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by a Saudi assassination team. U.S. intelligence concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is expected to meet Trump during his visit and previously met with President Joe Biden, ordered the operation against Khashoggi, although the kingdom denies the prince’s involvement.
Trump has maintained close relationships with Gulf states since leaving office. His administration has also recently given initial approval for Qatar to purchase eight armed MQ-9B Reaper drones, a deal estimated to be worth nearly $2 billion.
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