The United States has approved massive arms sales through ₹15.67 billion to Israel and Saudi Arabia. According to the US State Department, the sales were made at a time of possible US military strikes against Iran.
According to an official press statement, sales to Israel are $6.67 billion and sales to Saudi Arabia are $9 billion.
Read also | ‘NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS’: Trump warns Iran ‘time is running out’ on fair deal
What is Israel buying?
According to the US State Department, the sales to Israel are divided into four separate packages: 30 Apache attack helicopters, 3,250 light tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers and light utility helicopters.
The Apache helicopters, which will be equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting equipment, make up the largest part of the total package, which amounts to $3.8 billion, according to a press release.
The next largest portion is light tactical vehicles, which will be used to move personnel and logistics “to expand lines of communication” for the Israel Defense Forces and will cost $1.98 billion, the company said.
Under the deals, Israel will spend an additional $740 million on power units for the armored personnel carriers it has had in service since 2008, the State Department said.
The remaining $150 million will be spent on a small but undisclosed number of light utility helicopters to complement similar equipment it already has, the company said.
Read also | Anthropic CEO criticizes US approval of Nvidia AI chip exports to China
In separate but nearly identical statements about Israel, the State Department said none of the new sales would affect the military balance in the region and that all would “strengthen Israel’s ability to counter current and future threats by improving its ability to defend Israel’s borders, vital infrastructure and population centers.”
“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is vital to US national interests to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the statement said.
Sales to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is buying the most advanced hit-to-kill weapon system, 730 PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 missiles and related equipment, which will “support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Persian Gulf region,” the department said.
The PAC 3 is said to provide simultaneous air and missile defense capabilities.
“This enhanced capability will protect the ground forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States and local allies and will significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s contribution” to an integrated air and missile defense system in the region, it said.
It was announced after Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met with top Trump administration officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Read also | Greenland: With America’s allies seen as adversaries, Europe must stiffen its spine
Why are Israel and Saudi Arabia buying weapons?
According to The Associated Press, the arms sales came as US President Donald Trump pushed his Gaza ceasefire plan, which aims to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas and rebuild the Palestinian territory after two years of war left it devastated with tens of thousands dead.
While the truce is largely in place, major challenges lie ahead in its next phases, including the deployment of an international security force to oversee the deal and the difficult process of disarming Hamas.
