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Us Greenlights 196 Billion Military Sale To Saudi Arabia
The United States has given its approval for a potential foreign military sale of precision-guided weapons to Saudi Arabia, valued at approximately $1.96 billion. The deal includes 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS-II) rockets, with half featuring air-to-air guidance sections and the other half air-to-ground capabilities.
The Saudi government had requested these precision-guided munitions as part of an effort to enhance its self-defense capabilities. This proposal is significant in light of ongoing tensions with Iran-backed groups such as the Houthis.
According to the State Department, the proposed sale will “augment Saudi Arabia’s operational aircraft and enhance its air-to-air, and air-to-ground self-defense capability.” The US has long maintained a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, cooperating on defense, trade, and counter-terrorism issues.
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS-II) is a relatively new generation of precision-guided munition developed by Lockheed Martin. This system uses advanced sensors and guidance technology to enable more accurate targeting. The APKWS-II rocket can be used from various platforms, including fighter jets and helicopters.
Zafer Al Ajami, a retired Kuwaiti Air Force colonel and defense analyst, explained that the APKWS-II rockets represent a significant improvement over traditional unguided munitions. “These kits convert cheap, unguided rockets into precise, low-cost interceptors,” he said in an interview with Breaking Defense. By using these precision-guided rockets, Saudi Arabia can protect its expensive Patriot missile stockpiles from being depleted by cheap drone swarms.
This concern is particularly pressing for Saudi Arabia, given the ongoing threat posed by Iranian-backed groups such as the Houthis. Recent days have seen a resumption of hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, with Riyadh targeted by Iranian strikes in response to US and Israeli attacks earlier this year.
The proposed sale of precision-guided munitions is seen as a pragmatic step towards improving relations between the US and Saudi Arabia. According to Al Ajami, “By providing cost-effective, precise air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, the US directly strengthens Saudi homeland defense and improves battlefield interoperability with American forces in the Gulf.”
The potential acquisition of these precision-guided munitions is also a key component of a broader strategy to improve security in the region. The US maintains a presence in the Gulf, with military bases and personnel stationed throughout the region.
BAE Systems has been identified by the State Department as the prime contractor for the deal, should it proceed. However, potential FMS announcements are not necessarily done deals, and units or dollar figures involved could change as negotiations continue. Lawmakers could also step in to halt or significantly alter the deal.
The announcement of the proposed sale comes at a time when tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia are running high. The two countries have been locked in a struggle for influence in the region, with the US seeking to maintain its position as a dominant player in the Middle East.
In recent days, Riyadh was targeted by Iranian strikes in response to US and Israeli attacks earlier this year. The conflict has reignited, with Saudi Arabia and Yemen trading fire. The situation remains fluid and uncertain, with no clear end in sight.
The proposed sale of precision-guided munitions is a significant development in this context. By providing cost-effective and precise air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, the US can strengthen Saudi homeland defense and improve battlefield interoperability with American forces in the Gulf. This move is seen as a pragmatic step towards improving relations between the two countries, driven by the Houthi threat.
Overall, the proposed sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia represents an important development in the complex relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia. By providing cost-effective and precise air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, the US can strengthen Saudi homeland defense and improve battlefield interoperability with American forces in the Gulf.