US approves $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of advanced precision weapons systems to Saudi Arabia valued at an estimated $1.96 billion, as tensions escalate in the Middle East. The sale includes up to 20,000 APKWS-II guided rocket sections (both air-to-air and air-to-ground variants), launchers, warheads, and support equipment. Source: diariolibree The prime contractor is BAE Systems of Nashua, New Hampshire. Source: infobae

Rationale and context

The State Department stated that the sale supports U.S. foreign policy objectives by enhancing the security of a key non-NATO ally that contributes to stability in the Gulf region. Source: infobae It will improve Saudi Arabia's ability to deter current and future threats and strengthen interoperability with U.S. and coalition forces. Source: diariolibree The approval comes amid renewed hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen. Houthi forces recently fired missiles at Abha airport, while a Saudi-led coalition airstrike hit Sanaa airport—a strike Riyadh blamed on its Yemeni allies, not its own forces. Source: diariolibree

Regional tensions

The arms sale is part of a broader conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, which began in February 2026 and continued despite a cease-fire in April and a June memorandum of understanding. Source: infobae Iran-backed Houthis have described the airport attack as a "declaration of war," raising fears of further escalation. The United Nations expressed concern over a widening conflict. Source: infobae