Washington, Jan 31 (.) The United States has approved the potential sale of Patriot air defense missiles to Saudi Arabia, valued at approximately USD 9 billion.
The announcement was made by the US State Department through notifications from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and statements from the Pentagon.
Saudi Arabia, a US ally and designated Major Non-NATO partner, requested the purchase of 730 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $9.0 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress,” the DSCA said in a statement.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy seven hundred thirty (730) PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) missiles.
In addition to the missiles, the sale includes several non-major defense equipment items, such as PAC-3 MSE missile launcher conversion kits; PATRIOT automated logistics systems kits; PAC-3 telemetry kits; PAC-3 MSE shorting plug accumulation kit; PAC-3 MSE missile skid kits; PAC-3 MSE missiles round trainer; PAC-3 MSE empty round trainer; PAC-3 missile and ground support equipment spare parts; PAC-3 missile canister consumables; PAC-3 field surveillance program; integration and test support and equipment.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region.
The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced air defense missiles as part of an upgraded integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) system, thereby enhancing its air defense capability.
The department said that this enhanced capability will protect land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution to IAMD in the CENTCOM region.
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