Washington approves potential arms sale to Saudi Arabia worth three billion dollars

(Patria) - The United States has approved a new potential arms sale to Saudi Arabia, this time for F-15 fighter jet maintenance parts under a three billion dollar deal.

A small number of additional long-term U.S. civilian contractors or military personnel may be needed by the Kingdom, the Pentagon said in a statement, Al Arabiya reported last night.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to purchase the following minor defense equipment items: spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; ground support and handling equipment; classified and unclassified software and software support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support," the notice stated.

This sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally, "which is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region," it added.

The F-15s also enhance the Kingdom's ability to deter current and future threats.
Late last week, the Donald Trump administration approved the possible sale of 730 PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missiles (PAC-3 MSE) to Saudi Arabia for nine billion dollars.

"This enhanced capability will protect Saudi Arabia's, U.S., and regional allies' ground forces and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia's contribution to (integrated air and missile defense) IAMD in the CENTCOM region," the Pentagon said.

The PAC-3 MSE is produced by Lockheed Martin and is one of the most advanced interceptors, capable of detecting and shooting down ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced drones.