U.S. approves potential sale of Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of Patriot missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at up to $3.05 billion, the Pentagon said on August 2, according to Reuters. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy three hundred PATRIOT MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical Ballistic missiles (GEM-T), The Defense Security Cooperation Agency reports.

Also included are tools and test equipment; range and test programs; support equipment to include associated publications and technical documentation; training equipment; spare and repair parts; New Equipment Training; Transportation; Quality Assurance Team support; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; engineering, and logistics support services; Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO); field office support; International Engineering Services Program Field Surveillance Program; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $3.05 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region.