The State Department on Friday announced potential arms sales worth $9 billion to Saudi Arabia and nearly $6.7 billion to Israel.
The sales, issued via congressional notifications from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, are not final and could be blocked by lawmakers within 30 days, though that is rare. Boeing, Lockheed, AM General, Rolls-Royce, and Leonardo Helicopters are the prime contractors for the Israel deals, while Lockheed leads the PAC-3 sale.
The Israel package includes 30 AH-64E Apache helicopters, 3,250 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, Namer armored personnel carrier power packs, and AW119Kx light utility helicopters. Saudi Arabia would receive 730 PAC-3 Patriot missiles with support equipment.
Officials said the Saudi sale would strengthen the kingdom’s integrated air and missile defense system, protecting U.S. forces, allies, and local troops. The announcements come as the U.S. boosts regional military posture amid tensions with Iran and follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks about reducing reliance on U.S. military aid.
