Mideast Precision Arms Boost
US State Department Approves Multi-Billion Dollar Precision Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Kuwait
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Key Points
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Saudi Arabia's APKWS sale includes up to 10,000 air-to-air guidance sections and up to 10,000 air-to-ground guidance sections, totaling 20,000 guidance sections.
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A separate sustainment package for Kuwait worth about $484 million was announced alongside the Saudi APKWS sale.
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Israel's APKWS sale includes 10,000 APKWS-II All Up Rounds, with the Secretary of State waiving the Congressional review requirement under Section 36(b) of AECA due to a national security emergency.
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APKWS capabilities include demonstrated use in counter-UAS and maritime defense, illustrating broader utility beyond traditional ground targets.
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Saudi sale involves in-country program support with 15 U.S. government representatives and 15 U.S. contractor representatives deployed to Saudi Arabia for an extended period to assist training and maintenance.
The U.S. State Department has approved a $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia and a $484 million sustainment package for Kuwait, according to TRT World. Both deals center on Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems, or APKWS-II — laser-guided rockets designed to hit targets with high accuracy while reducing risk to civilians nearby.
A separate $992.4 million APKWS-II sale to Israel was also approved, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio waiving the normal Congressional review process, citing a national security emergency, LSE reported. BAE Systems is the principal contractor on all three deals.
What Saudi Arabia Is Getting for $1.96 Billion
Saudi Arabia's package includes up to 20,000 APKWS-II guidance sections — split evenly between 10,000 air-to-air and 10,000 air-to-ground units, according to TRT World. The deal also covers launchers, warheads, spare parts, and training equipment.
The U.S. will send personnel directly into Saudi Arabia to help. That includes 15 U.S. government representatives and 15 U.S. contractor representatives deployed for an extended period to support training and maintenance, LSE reported. BAE Systems will lead the work on the ground.
Kuwait's $484 Million Sustainment Deal Runs Alongside Saudi Sale
Kuwait's package is a sustainment deal — meaning it keeps existing systems running rather than buying new weapons. Worth roughly $484 million, it was announced at the same time as the Saudi sale, according to TRT World.
The State Department framed both deals as tools to strengthen regional stability and improve how Gulf allies work alongside U.S. and NATO forces. Officials said the sales would not shift the broader military balance in the Middle East.
Congress Bypassed for Israel's $992 Million Rocket Deal
Israel's deal covers 10,000 APKWS-II All Up Rounds — fully assembled, ready-to-fire rockets. Normally, a sale this size requires a Congressional review period. Rubio waived that requirement under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, citing a national security emergency, according to LSE.
The waiver signals urgency. It fast-tracks weapons to a close U.S. ally without the usual weeks-long review window. The deal also includes testing gear, logistics support, and training — the full package needed to put the weapons into active use quickly.
APKWS Rockets Prove Useful Against Drones and at Sea
APKWS-II rockets were originally built to hit ground targets. But recent use has shown they can also shoot down drones and defend against threats at sea. That broader capability is part of why demand is rising across the Middle East, according to LSE.
Precision-guided munitions like APKWS are seen as a cleaner option in crowded combat zones. They reduce what the military calls collateral damage — meaning fewer civilian casualties and less unintended destruction. The State Department highlighted this in its approval statements for all three sales.
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