10 hrs ago
US Approves Gulf Arms Sales Amid Iran Drone Threat
The United States approved two arms-related sales to Gulf countries.
The larger sale is for the United Arab Emirates and is worth $1 billion.
It includes guidance parts that can make ordinary rockets more accurate.
The rockets can be used to shoot down drones, which may avoid using more expensive missiles.
The United States says the sale will help the UAE defend itself and work with US forces.
A separate $400 million approval will provide Kuwait with repair and return services for Patriot missiles.
The announcements come as Iran has launched drones and missiles at Gulf countries.
The US State Department said Kuwait would use the services to strengthen its homeland defence.
The United States approved a sale to the United Arab Emirates of up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance sections, valued at $1 billion.
The US State Department said the UAE sale would strengthen its self-defence capability and improve interoperability with US forces.
The guidance sections convert unguided rockets into precision munitions that can be used to shoot down drones.
The State Department also approved a $400 million sale to Kuwait for repair and return services for Patriot missiles.
The approvals come as Iran's forces have repeatedly targeted the UAE and other US-allied Gulf countries with drones and missiles.
- Who
- The United States approved sales to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
- What
- A $1 billion sale of up to 10,000 rocket guidance sections to the UAE and a $400 million sale of Patriot missile repair and return services to Kuwait.
- Where
- The sales are for the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, both Gulf states.
- When
- Monday; the articles do not specify a date.
- Why
- The US State Department said the UAE sale would strengthen self-defence and interoperability with US forces; Kuwait would use its services to strengthen homeland defence.
Key facts
- UAE sale value
- $1 billion
- UAE guidance sections
- Up to 10,000
- UAE weapon system
- Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance sections for rockets
- Kuwait sale value
- $400 million
- Kuwait services
- Repair and return services for Patriot missiles
- Announcing agency
- US State Department
- Regional context
- Iranian forces have repeatedly targeted the UAE and other US-allied Gulf countries with drones and missiles.
Quotes
US State Department
US government department that announced the weapons sale.
“The proposed sale will improve the United Arab Emirates' capability to meet current and future threats by developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability and improving interoperability with US forces.”
NDTV
“Kuwait will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defence”
NDTV
Sources
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