The US plans to supply Saudi Arabia with 280 AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) missiles and related equipment for a total of $650 million, the State Department stated.
The agency which is concluding the deal is responsible for the supply of military equipment and weapons abroad under intergovernmental contracts, the promotion of ties between the US Armed Forces and other countries, аs well as the provision of financial and technical assistance to Washington’s foreign partners in the field of defense.
According to the information provided by the US authorities, the sale will also include about 596 launchers with LAU-128 rail guides.
The State Department has also permitted the implementation of the current agreement between Washington and Riyadh.
The US administration has already officially notified Congress of its decision. The US legislature now has 30 days to study these new agreements and possibly block them.
Many politicians strongly oppose the sale of arms to the kingdom due to the human rights situation. In the US government’s view, the execution of contracts is in the interests of “US foreign policy and national security, helping to strengthen the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political and economic progress in the Middle East.”
The weapons, according to the Washington administration, will “enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to withstand current and future threats by increasing its arsenal of medium-range missiles,” and “further strengthen interoperability between the United States and Saudi Arabia.”
The deals “will not change the basic military balance in the region,” the US State Department and the Pentagon both said.
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