US approves arms sale to Saudi Arabia, UAE

SANAA, Feb. 05 (YPA) – The US State Department has approved sales of weapons, F-16 fighter jets and related equipment to Middle East allies, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on Thursday that the State Department approved Jordan’s request for 12 F-16 C Block 70 fighter jets, radios targeting pods and associated munitions components including guided missile tail kits at an estimated cost of US$4.21 billion.

The Pentagon said the prime contractor for the jets is Lockheed Martin Corp.

Saudi Arabia also got the green light to purchase 31 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT) for as much as US$23.7 million to upgrade its air missile systems.

The UAE was also approved to buy US$30 million worth of spare and repair parts for its Homing All the Way Killer (Hawk) missile defense systems.

E.M