US approves nearly $2bn in arms sales to Saudi Arabia | Material Issues

The sale is intended to bolster Saudi air defense as the kingdom comes under increasing threat from the Iran-backed Houthis.

⁠The US State Department has approved a $1.96bn arms sale to Saudi Arabia.

Announced on Wednesday, the foreign military sale, estimated at around $2bn, is intended to bolster Saudi Arabia’s air defenses as the US-Israel war against Iran escalates.

“This sale will support the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally who is a force for promoting political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” the State Department said.

The main manufacturer will be ⁠BAE Systems.

Among the weapons that the Gulf kingdom wants are 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems and their weapons, which the US Navy website describes as “a low-cost way to destroy targets and reduce the cost of weapons”.

“The sale aims to improve Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland security, and improving cooperation with the US military, and other regional and NATO forces,” the State Department said.

The move comes as Saudi Arabia appears poised to resume hostilities with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis after a missile attack on an airport in the southern Saudi city of Abha on Monday.

The Houthi attack followed a series of airstrikes that hit Sanaa airport, diverting a plane carrying a Houthi delegation returning from the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader. The Houthis blamed Riyadh for the attack.

The leader of the Houthi movement in Yemen, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, said on Thursday that all Saudi oil and other important facilities will be the target of the group’s missiles and drones if Riyadh joins in what he described as “aggression” against Yemen and moves forward.

The move also comes as the truce between the United States and Iran is winding down and the US is increasing its threats, after suspending naval defenses.

“There will be no further impact on US Defense preparedness as a result of this sale,” he said.