U.S. backs UAE guidance
The United States approved a US$1 billion sale to the United Arab Emirates of up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance sections for rockets, the US State Department said in a statement. The State Department said the proposed sale would improve the United Arab Emirates’ capability to meet current and future threats and improve interoperability with US forces.
The State Department also said the sale would support US foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a major defense partner. The State Department described the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System as converting unguided rockets into precision munitions that can be employed for purposes including shooting down drones.
Kuwait Patriot repair
The US State Department announced approval of a US$400 million sale to Kuwait of “repair and return services” for Patriot missiles. The State Department said Kuwait will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.
The State Department said Patriot missiles have played a key role in countering Iranian attacks in the region. The US State Department tied the approvals to the Iran war, saying Tehran’s forces have repeatedly targeted US-allied Gulf countries with both drones and missiles.
Broader $2.27 billion package
The US State Department also approved three possible foreign military sales to Egypt, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates with a combined estimated cost of $2.27 billion. The largest proposed deal involved the United Arab Emirates, which requested up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II guidance sections, and the proposed UAE package was estimated at $1.041 billion.
The US State Department said the Egypt package was estimated at $832 million and involved up to 2,020 FGM-148F Javelin missiles, including 20 missiles intended for testing. The US State Department said the approval of the three potential sales does not constitute a completed arms transfer and that Congress will have the opportunity to review the proposed transactions before any final agreements are concluded.
Source: newscord.org
