Washington, D.C., USA (Agencies): The Biden administration has approved a significant arms sale worth $2.2 billion to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of a broader strategy to enhance the defense capabilities of these key Middle Eastern allies.
The sale to Saudi Arabia includes AIM-9 Sidewinder and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, as well as artillery, tank, and machine gun ammunition.
Specifically, the deal encompasses Hellfire II missiles valued at $655 million, artillery and machine gun ammunition worth around $139 million, and additional missiles and support programs totaling $252 million.
Meanwhile, the UAE is set to receive Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) long-range rockets.
This package includes 259 GMLRS, 1,554 M31A1 rockets, and 203 ATACMS, amounting to a total value of $1.2 billion.
The arms deal is aimed at strengthening the defensive capabilities of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, particularly in light of ongoing regional tensions and threats from Iran.
Both countries have faced rocket attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi rebel movement in Yemen, making this arms sale critical for their national security.
The approval of this arms sale has sparked mixed reactions, highlighting the complex dynamics of international arms transactions and their potential implications in the region.