Washington approves $9bn Patriot missile deal with Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON, Feb. 01 (YPA) – The United States has approved a $9 billion deal to sell Patriot air defense missile systems to Saudi Arabia.

The Pentagon announced on Friday that the U.S. State Department had authorized Riyadh’s request to purchase 730 Patriot missiles, along with related equipment and support services.

In a statement, the State Department said the sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the security of a key non-NATO partner.

The statement added that the deal would help protect Saudi ground forces, as well as U.S. and allied forces, and would significantly enhance the Kingdom’s role within the region’s integrated air and missile defense system.

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