The Pentagon has given the green light to defense equipment sales worth more than $8.6 billion to four Middle Eastern partner nations, the State Department announced Friday.
The major arms deals were revealed as the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran enters its ninth week, with a delicate ceasefire now in place for over three weeks.
Qatar received approval for the largest portion of the sales, including $4.01 billion for Patriot air and missile defense maintenance services and an additional $992.4 million for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems.
Kuwait was authorized to purchase an integrated battle command system valued at $2.5 billion, while Israel received approval for $992.4 million worth of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems.
The United Arab Emirates was cleared to buy Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems for $147.6 million.
According to the State Department, BAE Systems will serve as the primary contractor for the precision weapons sales to Qatar, Israel and the UAE.
For Kuwait’s battle command system and Qatar’s Patriot defense services, RTX and Lockheed Martin will handle the contracts as principal contractors. Northrop Grumman will also participate as a main contractor in the Kuwait deal.
