US planning to sell weapons worth $5 billion to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WASHINGTON  DC: The United States government announced on Tuesday that it will sell a missile defense system worth a total of $5 billion to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

This approval was announced two weeks after President Joe Biden met the leaders of the two countries in Saudi Arabia and went on a visit to strengthen Washington’s strained relations between the two countries.

The US State Department said Saudi Arabia will buy 300 Patriot MIM-104E missile defense systems, which can be used to shoot down long-range ballistic and cruise missiles.

The total cost of the missile, training and maintenance equipment is $3.05 billion, according to the Department.

Saudi Arabia has recently faced the threat of missiles from the Houthi group in Yemen, which receives equipment and technology made by Iran.

“These missiles are used to protect the borders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from ballistic missiles and drones that are regularly sent by the Houthis across the border and attack civilian areas and important infrastructure for Saudi Arabia,” said the US State Department.

Also, the United States government has also said that it will sell THAAD missiles worth $2.25 billion to the United Arab Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates has also been targeted by several missile attacks against the Houthis, who have countered the missile defense system used by the American forces based in the country.

“The purchase of these missiles will improve the ability of the United Arab Emirates to prevent the threat of ballistic missiles and reduce the reliability of the United States military,” said the Department of State.

AFP