Washington Approves Two Potential Arms and Military Equipment Sales Deals to Saudi Arabia - Sarmad

The U.S. Department of State announced its approval of two potential arms sales to Saudi Arabia, including the first involving extended-range JDAM (JDAM-ER) guided air-to-ground munitions valued at $5 billion, and the second involving AGT-1500 tank engines valued at $750 million.

The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs in the State Department issued two separate notifications to the U.S. Congress regarding the two deals. The first notification detailed the JDAM munitions sale, while the second contained details of the tank engines sale.

According to the first notification, Saudi Arabia requested to purchase approximately 5,000 KMU-572 guidance kits and a similar number of KMU-556 kits, both designed for JDAM guided munitions.

The request also included approximately 5,000 500-pound BLU-111 conventional bombs and 5,000 2,000-pound BLU-117 bombs, along with equipment comprising fuzes, target detection devices, containers, spare parts, and technical and logistical support services.

According to the U.S. State Department, Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing will serve as the prime contractor for the deal.

The ministry stated that the sale serves U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing Saudi Arabia’s security. As a major non-NATO ally, Saudi Arabia is described by the ministry as a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region. The sale will also improve Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities to counter regional threats and enhance operational interoperability with U.S. forces and U.S. partners in the Gulf.