Biden administration approves $2.2 billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates

10/14/2024 / By Kevin Hughes

The Biden administration has approved the sale of billions of dollars in arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Department of Defense declared that the Department of State has approved the sale of weapons and ammunition to the two Middle East nations which was estimated at over $2.2 billion.

“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats and improve interoperability with systems operated by U.S. Forces and other Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in its defensive capabilities is crucial to protecting its borders, energy infrastructure, and its residents,” the Pentagon said.

The move is seen as a renewed show of support to two allies that are critical to the United States’ response against Iran and its proxies as conflict intensifies in the Middle East. (Related: Biden administration approves $583M arms sale to Saudi Arabia and $85M sale to the U.A.E.)

The State Department informed Congress it approved the sale of Hellfire and Sidewinder missiles, in addition to artillery, tank and machine gun ammunition to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth more than $1 billion. Unless Congress moves to stop the proposed sales, the contractors and receiving nations can start negotiations on contracts.

Training, technical and logistical support programs are part of the deal

As stated by separate press releases issued by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Saudi Arabia has been authorized to buy Hellfire II missiles for $655 million; ammunition for artillery systems, machine guns and tanks priced at roughly $139 million; and missiles and support programs worth $252 million.

The U.A.E. has also been approved for a possible sale of munitions worth $1.2 billion. The details of the U.A.E. deal involve the purchase of 259 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), 1,554 M31A1 rockets and 203 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). The deal also incorporates training programs, software development, and engineering and logistics support services.

For Saudi Arabia, the initial deal included approval for the sale of 220 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles worth $252 million, along with training and technical and logistical support programs. The second deal consists of artillery systems, machine guns, tanks and other equipment worth $139 million, together with 10,000 M456 105mm anti-tank rounds, in addition to various ammunition for tanks, howitzers, machine guns and hand grenades. The third deal involves the sale of 2,503 AGM-114R3 Hellfire II missiles, as well as technical and logistical support programs.

The statement suggested that these deals will advance U.S. foreign policy and national security goals by supporting the security of major regional partners, contributing to political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. It will also improve the capabilities of Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. to confront present and future threats by modernizing their armed forces.

The statements confirmed that these deals and the accompanying support “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

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