The United States has given the green light to a significant military sale to Saudi Arabia, approving a $5 billion package that includes thousands of precision-guidance kits and general-purpose bombs. The State Department confirmed on Friday that the proposed Foreign Military Sale encompasses Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) systems, along with fuze systems, target detectors, containers, spare parts and technical support services.
Specifically, Riyadh has requested 5,004 KMU-572 JDAM guidance kits, 5,000 KMU-556 JDAM guidance kits, 5,004 BLU-111 500-pound bombs and 5,000 BLU-117 2,000 pound bombs. Boeing has been designated as the principal contractor for the deal.
Tank Engines and Regional Military Support
In a separate but concurrent approval, Washington has authorised the sale of 60 AGT-1500 tank engines to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $750 million. Honeywell will serve as the primary contractor for this package, which is intended to bolster Riyadh's armoured warfare capabilities.
The State Department justified both approvals by stating they would improve Saudi Arabia's ability to counter "current and future regional threats" and enhance interoperability with US forces and Gulf partners. The department further noted that the proposed sales would support US foreign policy goals by strengthening the security of a major non-NATO ally.
Additional Deals for Oman and Iraq
Beyond the Saudi agreements, Washington has approved two further military sales to Gulf nations. Oman has been cleared to receive F-16 sustainment services and related equipment valued at $188 million, a package designed to maintain the Sultanate's existing fleet of F-16 aircraft and improve interoperability with US and coalition partners. Iraq, meanwhile, has secured approval for the purchase of Bell 412EPX helicopters and associated equipment worth $150 million.
The State Department framed the Iraqi deal as a means to provide airlift capability for troop, medical and logistics transport, thereby supporting counter-terrorism operations. Bell Textron has been named as the principal contractor for the Iraqi helicopter sale.
The American War on Iran
The timing and scale of these arms approvals cannot be separated from the broader regional context. Saudi Arabia has faced repeated drone and missile strikes from Iranian forces and Yemen's Houthi rebels since the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran earlier this year. In response to the US Israeli attack, Iran launched missiles and armed drones against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, primarily because these nations host US military bases.
Iranian officials have made clear that their military actions target what they describe as "hostile aggressors," while simultaneously calling on Gulf nations to reconsider the presence of American forces in the region.
Implications
The combined value of these approvals, exceeding $6 billion across Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iraq signals Washington's determination to maintain and expand its military footprint in the Gulf. The State Department's assertion that these sales "will not alter the military balance in the region" appears increasingly disconnected from reality. For Iran, these deals confirm that the United States is arming its neighbours as part of a broader strategy of encirclement and containment.
As the US-Israeli war against Iran continues, these arms sales are likely to deepen regional tensions rather than alleviate them, pushing the Gulf further toward a militarised standoff.