Washington D.C. – Web Desk: The United States has approved a potential $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia to bolster the kingdom’s air defenses, the State Department announced Wednesday, as the Middle East conflict intensifies .
Weapons Package Details
The proposed sale includes up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) and related warheads, along with launchers, spare parts, technical documentation, and logistical support services . The APKWS is a laser-guidance kit that converts unguided 70mm rockets into precision-guided munitions, allowing for cost-effective target destruction while minimizing collateral damage in close combat .
The principal contractor will be BAE Systems .
Strategic Rationale
The State Department said the sale “will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense, and improving interoperability with US forces, and other regional and NATO forces” . Saudi Arabia is designated a Major Non-NATO Ally and is seen as “a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region” .
Regional Context
The approval comes as Saudi Arabia appears on the brink of renewed conflict with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who recently fired missiles at Abha airport . The Houthi attack followed a Yemeni government strike on Sanaa airport that diverted a flight carrying a Houthi delegation returning from the Iranian supreme leader’s funeral .
The arms package also comes amid escalating US-Iran hostilities, with Washington reimposing a naval blockade and conducting waves of airstrikes against Iranian targets .
