TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States (US) has approved the sale of weapons worth US$1.96 billion, or around Rp35 trillion, to Saudi Arabia. The approval, announced by the US Department of State on Wednesday, July 16, is aimed at strengthening Riyadh's air defense amidst increasing security tensions in the Middle East.
As reported by Al Jazeera, the approval through the Foreign Military Sales scheme was granted as conflicts in the region continue to escalate, including increased confrontations involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The U.S. Department of State mentioned that the sale is in line with the foreign policy and national security interests of Washington.
Aimed to Strengthen Air Defense
According to TRT World, the sales package includes up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) along with their warheads. Based on the US Navy's statement, APKWS is a relatively inexpensive precision weapon system to destroy targets while minimizing damage to the surrounding area during close-range combat.
In addition to APKWS, Saudi Arabia will also acquire launchers, high explosive warheads, rocket motors, and a number of other defense equipment. The primary contractor in this transaction is BAE Systems based in Nashua, New Jersey.
The US Department of State mentioned that the weapons package is designed to enhance Saudi Arabia's air defense capabilities against evolving threats, including unmanned aerial vehicle attacks by proxy groups in the region. It is also expected to reduce Riyadh's dependence on the more expensive Patriot missiles.
"The proposed sale will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to counter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense, as well as interoperability with US forces and regional and NATO forces," the US Department of State stated.
Washington also assured that the transaction would not affect its military readiness. "The proposed sale will not adversely affect US defense readiness."
Escalating Regional Conflict
The approval of the weapons sale was announced as Saudi Arabia faces escalating threats from the Houthi group in Yemen, supported by Iran. The group launched a missile attack on Abha Airport in southern Saudi Arabia on Monday, July 13, 2026.
The attack came after Sanaa Airport was hit in an airstrike, forcing a plane carrying a Houthi delegation, who had just returned from the funeral of Iran's top leader, to divert its flight. The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of being behind the attack.
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned on Thursday that all of Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and vital infrastructure would be targeted by his group's missiles and drones if Riyadh became involved and chose to escalate the conflict.
The approval of the weapons sale also comes as the ceasefire between the United States and Iran begins to collapse. Washington intensified its attacks after imposing a maritime blockade on Iran.
Read: Saudi Arabia Raises Import Tariffs to as High as 15%
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