US Approves $5.75 Billion in Saudi Arms Deals Amid Gulf Tensions
The US government has approved two potential Saudi defense packages worth $5.75 billion, aiming to bolster Riyadh's military capabilities in the face of growing tensions with Iran.
The first package, valued at $5 billion, involves Boeing supplying extended-range precision bombs as part of the JDAM-ER system, which can strike targets up to 45 miles away. This will enable Saudi aircraft to engage fixed targets while conserving more advanced cruise missiles for deeper objectives.
The second deal, worth $750 million, includes Honeywell's AGT-1500 gas-turbine engines, which will replace worn-out powerplants in the Saudi M1A2S Abrams tank fleet. This will sustain armoured readiness and support Riyadh's plans to modernize its armor capabilities.
The transactions are part of a broader effort by Washington to maintain influence over Saudi targeting systems, maintenance pipelines, weapons, training standards, and replenishment timelines as regional dynamics shift. The deals also underscore the importance of logistics and industrial capacity in shaping deterrence across the Gulf.