US approves $16.5bn arms deal to Gulf states amid rising Iran tensions
Al Jazeera
The proposed deal includes the sale of drones, missiles and radars for Gulf allies, including UAE, Kuwait and Jordan.
The United States Department of State has approved a $16.5bn deal for arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan as tensions with Iran continue to intensify.
On Thursday, the State Department explained that $8.4bn worth of arms would go to the United Arab Emirates to pay for drones, missiles, radar systems and F-16 aircraft.
As part of the deal, Washington also approved roughly $8bn for air and missile defence radar systems to Kuwait and an additional $70.5m to Jordan, which would cover aircraft and munition support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major defense partner,” the State Department said in a statement.
“The UAE is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.”
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