Washington DC, 3 August 2022 (TDI): The United States (US) State Department approved potential arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday.
The Pentagon said that there has been an approval for the potential sale of Patriot missiles as well as related equipment to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at up to $3.05 billion.
Also, the Pentagon said that the potential sale of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system missiles, THAAD fire control and communication stations, and related equipment to the UAE in a deal valued at up to $2.25 billion has been approved as well.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” the State Department said regarding the sale.
In line with the news release from the US State Department, the proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capability. That is, to meet current as well as future threats by replenishing its dwindling stock of PATRIOT GEM-T missiles.
“These missiles are used to defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s borders against persistent Houthi cross-border unmanned aerial system and ballistic missile attacks on civilian sites and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia,” the US State Department news release stated.
Notably, the potential deals come after the US President, Joe Biden previously visited Saudi Arabia in July.
US President’s visit to Saudi Arabia
President Biden met with the leaders of each nation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as he sought to improve relations between the US and the Saudis.
President Biden left Saudi Arabia last month without a firm commitment to an increase in oil production. At the time, he said that based on his conversations he looks forward to “further steps in the coming weeks”.
After meeting King Salman, the US President held a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince along with several officials from the US and Saudi Arabia. Following this, both the US and Saudi Arabia made a joint statement.
The Jeddah Communique: A Joint Statement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America 🇸🇦🇺🇸https://t.co/QOXJsK866R pic.twitter.com/7AlTNmAjCt
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) July 16, 2022
Thus, the two sides outlined the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the US over the coming decades.
Specifically, with the aim of advancing mutual interests. Along with advancing a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East.
Also Read: US President meets King of Saudi Arabia
