US Approves $8.6 Billion in Arms Sales to Middle East Allies

US State Department Announces Emergency Arms Sales to Middle Eastern Allies

The United States has approved $8.6 billion in arms sales to its Middle Eastern allies, including Israel and several Gulf states, amid ongoing tensions with Iran. The sales were announced by the US State Department on Friday, which cited “emergency circumstances” as justification for bypassing the congressional review process.

According to the department, the sales include the transfer of an advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS) to Israel for $992 million, as well as the purchase of battle command systems by Kuwait and Qatar. The UAE has also been cleared to buy an APKWS for $148 million.

The State Department stated that it had provided “detailed justification” for the emergency sales, which are deemed necessary in the national security interests of the United States. The arms being transferred include Patriot systems, used to intercept incoming projectiles, and the APKWS, a precision-guided munition system.

Separate arms sales worth $16.5 billion were approved by the State Department in March, including drones, missiles, radar systems, and F-16 aircraft for the UAE, and air and missile defence radar systems for Kuwait. The announcements come as the US military continues to supply its allies with arms amid ongoing conflict with Iran.

The heavy use of US munitions in the war on Iran has raised concerns about Washington’s ability to engage in future conflicts, particularly against China over Taiwan. A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the US would need more stockpiles for a potential conflict with an adversary like China.

Source: Al Jazeera