Washington approves $3.5 billion missile deal for Riyadh

WASHINGTON, May 03 (YPA) – The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the State Department has approved a deal with Saudi Arabia that includes AIM-120C-8 medium-range air-to-air missiles and logistical and program support worth $3.5 billion.

The agency explained that Saudi Arabia requested a thousand missiles and 50 guidance units, confirming that the deal supports the goals of national security and American foreign policy.

RTX Corp will be the main contractor. Despite the approval, neither the contract nor the negotiations have concluded.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, followed by Qatar and the UAE, from May 13 to 16, his first foreign trip of his second term.

The United States is preparing to provide Saudi Arabia with an arms package worth more than $100 billion during President Donald Trump’s visit to the Kingdom this month.

Saudi Arabia has requested 1,000 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, 50 guidance units for these missiles, and other equipment, including spare parts, missile containers, and logistical support services.

YPA