< Back to all clusters
[INTERNATIONAL] · United States, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait · 56 sources

US clears $1.96 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department announced approval of a weapons sale valued at about $1.96 billion to Saudi Arabia. The package includes up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) and associated warheads, with BAE Systems as the principal contractor. The sale is intended to strengthen Saudi air‑defence capabilities, improve deterrence against current and future threats, and enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and regional/NATO partners, supporting U.S. foreign‑policy and national‑security objectives.

The approval comes as Saudi Arabia faces a renewed confrontation with Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels after a missile strike on Abha airport, and as the United States escalates operations against Iran and reinstates a naval blockade in the Gulf. The State Department said the sale will not affect U.S. defence readiness. In a related move, Washington also approved a $484 million foreign‑military sale to Kuwait for C‑17 maintenance and support equipment.

Sources

1 day ago
1 day ago
1 day ago
about 7 hours ago