US approves possible weapons sale to Saudi Arabia worth $1.96 bln: State Department

The US approved the possible sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth $1.96 billion, the State Department said on Wednesday.

According to the State Department, Saudi Arabia had requested to purchase up to 10,000 APKWS-II air-to-air guidance sections and another 10,000 APKWS-II air-to-ground guidance sections.

“This proposed sale 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 Gulf Region,” the State Department said in a notice.

The sale will also improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense, and improving interoperability with US forces, and other regional and NATO forces, the State Department added. ”The proposed sale will also augment Saudi Arabia’s operational aircraft and enhance its air-to-air, and air-to-ground self-defense capability.”

The principal contractor will be BAE Systems and 15 additional US government and 15 American contractor representatives will be sent to Saudi Arabia for ”an extended period to support program and technical reviews plus training and maintenance support in-country.”