WASHINGTON: The US State Department has approved a $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s air defence capabilities, as tensions and military activity continue to escalate 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 release.
The weapons package requested by the Gulf kingdom includes up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems and their associated warheads. The US Navy describes the system as a cost-effective option designed to strike targets with reduced collateral damage during close combat operations.
The US State Department said BAE Systems’ facility in Nashua, New Jersey, will serve as the primary contractor for the deal.
Sale to improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats
“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defence, and improving interoperability with US forces, and other regional and Nato forces,” the release said.
“There will be no adverse impact on US Defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” it said.
The move comes as the United States intensifies its campaign of strikes against Iran, following the reimposition of a naval blockade as the two adversaries return to open conflict.
Nearly a month after the US and Iran signed the Islamabad memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the Middle East war, the two sides resumed fighting with strikes on targets across the region.
Also Read: PM Sharif Condemns Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Earlier, several countries expressed their solidarity with Saudi Arabia following missile attacks launched by Houthi militias.
Trump Warns Iran to ‘Behave’
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Iran to “behave” or face further expanded military action, declining to set a deadline for potential attacks on Iranian infrastructure as the United States intensified its military campaign.
Asked by a journalist whether he was giving Iran a deadline before ordering strikes on bridges, Trump replied: “I don’t like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know — they know the story. They better behave.”
