US Approves $5 Billion in Military Sales to Saudi Arabia

The US State Department has approved the possible sale of over $5 billion worth of military equipment to Saudi Arabia. The proposed sale includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) and AGT-150 engines, which will improve Saudi Arabia's capability to meet current and future threats.

The State Department stated that the sale will bolster Saudi Arabia's readiness, ability to support operational requirements, and capabilities necessary for improved interoperability and execution of bilateral contingency plans.

Boeing and Honeywell will be the principal contractors for the JDAM-ERs and AGT-150 engines, respectively. The potential sale worth $5 billion is one of several approvals made by the State Department on Friday, including a possible sale of F-16 aircraft sustainment services to Oman for an estimated $188 million.

The US also approved a separate sale worth $150 million for Iraq to purchase Bell 412EPX helicopters. The significance of these approvals underscores the broader implications of the US-Saudi relationship.