US approves missile sale to Saudi Arabia

Last Updated on October 27, 2024 5:50 am

The United States has approved the sale of $440 million in missiles to Saudi Arabia.

Al Arabiya reported this in a report on Friday (October 25).

The Pentagon said in a statement that “this sale will support US foreign policy goals and national security objectives by helping Saudi Arabia achieve political stability and economic progress in the Gulf.”

At a time of heightened military tensions in the Middle East and fears of a major war, Saudi Arabia is set to buy new missiles from the United States.

In a phone call with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on October 7, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated Washington’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s defense.

The Pentagon statement added that “the proposed missile sale will enhance Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities and improve its ability to respond to current and future threats.” There will be no difficulty in using and operating this equipment in the armed forces of Saudi Arabia.

In 2015, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia launched an attack on neighboring Yemen. In this, the Saudi coalition used weapons and ammunition from the United States. Thousands of people were killed in this war with the Houthis. This put the US administration under pressure.

In this situation, President Joe Biden, who came to power in 2021, tightened the arms sales to Saudi Arabia. In the meantime, from March 2022, the Saudis and the Houthis reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United Nations.

In August this year, it was reported that the ban on the sale of some ammunition to Saudi Arabia, such as air-to-ground attacks, was being lifted. These ammunitions will be transferred to Saudi Arabia in stages in light of the existing arms transfer policy.