The Biden administration has approved multibillion-dollar arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two critical moves as the United States pushes back against Iran and its proxies as conflict escalates in the Middle East. This is a renewed show of support for our allies.
The State Department has notified Congress that it has approved the sale of Das Hellfire and Sidewinder missiles, as well as artillery, tank, and machine gun ammunition to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth more than $1 billion. President Joe Biden lifted restrictions on sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia in August as a way to pressure Riyadh to scale back its war with Yemen’s Houthis.
The Houthis have launched attacks targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea since Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Both organizations receive funding from Iran. amidst the escalating conflict with Israel.
The State Department also informed lawmakers that it has approved the potential sale of the GMLRS guided rocket system, long-range ATACMS missiles, and training and support for both systems to the United Arab Emirates in a deal valued at $1.2 billion. . .
Unless Congress moves to block the proposed sale, the contractor and the host state could begin negotiating a contract, which could be below the approved cap. RTX Corp. manufactures the Sidewinder missile. All other weapons are manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
