Barran Press
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, approved a $2.8 billion military sales package to Saudi Arabia, citing the need to enhance the kingdom's ability to deter threats.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees arms sales to foreign governments within the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon), announced the approval in a statement. The package, valued at $2.8 billion, includes elements of a "logistics and sustainment system" for the Saudi military. The required notification has been submitted to Congress.
The statement emphasized that "this approved sale will enhance the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a key ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region. It will also support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives."
The DSCA noted that the deal will "increase Saudi Arabia's capability to deter current and future threats," adding that the equipment and support included in the package will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
In February 2021, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden imposed restrictions on arms sales to Saudi Arabia as part of its new policies aimed at reducing violence in Yemen.
This latest approval marks a shift in the Biden administration's approach to arms sales to Saudi Arabia, highlighting the ongoing strategic partnership between the two countries. The sale is likely to be met with mixed reactions, with some praising the move as necessary for regional security and others criticizing it for potentially fueling conflict in Yemen.