US approves $2.27B military sales to UAE, Egypt, Kuwait; expands Saudi deals

WASHINGTON, Oct. 06 (YPA) – The US State Department has approved potential foreign military sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Kuwait with a combined total value of $2.27 billion.

According to a State Department statement released Monday, the UAE accounts for the largest share at $1.041 billion. The package includes APKWS II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) guidance kits and related equipment.

The department also approved a potential sale to Egypt estimated at $832 million, covering up to 2,020 FGM-148F Javelin anti-tank missiles and approximately 200 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units.

For Kuwait, approval was granted for spare parts and repair services for Patriot missile systems, valued at approximately $400 million.

These approvals follow previous defense authorizations for Saudi Arabia, including a $24.3 billion package approved on September 17 that encompassed 48 F-35 fighter jets and 49 engines, as well as a separate $5 billion deal approved Friday for bombs, guidance kits, and related air defense equipment.

The State Department noted that the proposed sales to Saudi Arabia aim to enhance the country’s air defense capabilities against current and future regional threats, strengthen internal defense, improve interoperability with US and partner forces in the Gulf, and support US foreign policy and national security objectives by bolstering a major non-NATO ally.

YPA