Washington, DC – The US State Department has announced its approval of two potential arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The first sale, valued at $5 billion, is for the supply of JDAM-ER extended-range air-to-ground guided munitions. The second sale, valued at $750 million, is for the supply of AGT-1500 tank engines. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs has issued separate notifications to the US Congress detailing the two sales.
Details of the ammunition and tank engine deals
The ammunition deal included a Saudi order for approximately 5,000 KMU-572 and KMU-556 guidance kits, as well as an equal number of BLU-111 (500 lb) and BLU-117 (2,000 lb) conventional bombs. The deal also included detonators, target acquisition equipment, and spare parts, with Boeing serving as the prime contractor. The tank engine deal, on the other hand, involved the purchase of 60 AGT-1500 engines, along with specialized equipment and engineering and technical services. This will be carried out by Honeywell at the Anniston Army Base in Alabama.
Strategic dimensions and affirming regional balance
The US State Department explained that these two deals serve national security and policy objectives by enhancing the security of Saudi Arabia, which it described as a major non-NATO ally and a stabilizing force in the Gulf. The deals also aim to improve the air defense and operational readiness of Saudi forces to counter regional threats. Furthermore, it was emphasized that Riyadh will have no difficulty integrating this equipment. The deals will also not disrupt the military balance in the region.
