The administration of US President Donald Trump has approved a massive new series of arms sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia totaling US$6.67 billion and US$9 billion respectively.
The US Department of State announced the sales late on Friday, as tensions rise in the region over the possibility of US military strikes on Iran. They were made public after the department notified the US Congress of its approval of the sales earlier the same day.
The sales also come as Trump pushes ahead with his ceasefire plan for Gaza that is intended to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and reconstruct the Palestinian territory.
Photo: Politico, Bloomberg
While the ceasefire has largely held, major challenges await in its next phases, including the deployment of an international security force to supervise the deal and the difficult process of disarming Hamas.
The Saudi sale is for 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment that “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” the department said.
“This enhanced capability will protect land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution” to the integrated air and missile defense system in the region, it said.
The sales to Israel are split into four separate packages, with one for 30 Apache attack helicopters, and related equipment and weapons, and another for 3,250 light tactical vehicles.
The Apache helicopters, which would be equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, are the biggest part of the total package, reaching US$3.8 billion, the department said.
The next largest portion is the light tactical vehicles, which would be used to move personnel and logistics “to extend lines of communication” for the Israel Defense Forces, and would cost US$1.98 billion, it said.
Israel would spend an additional US$740 million on power packs for armored personnel carriers it has had in service since 2008, the department said.
The remaining US$150 million would be spent on a small but unreported number of light utility helicopters to complement similar equipment it already has, it said.
None of the new sales would affect the military balance in the region and all of them would “enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel’s borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers,” the department said.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” it added.
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