**US State Department approves $5 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia**
**WASHINGTON** – The United States State Department announced on Friday that it has approved a proposed $5 billion sale of bombs, guidance kits, and related military equipment to Saudi Arabia.
According to the State Department, the sale is intended to bolster Saudi Arabia’s airborne defense capabilities, enhance homeland security, and improve interoperability between the Saudi military and U.S. forces. The department stated that the transaction supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the security of a “Major non-NATO Ally.”
The announcement comes amid a period of heightened regional instability. Saudi Arabia has faced repeated drone and missile strikes attributed to Iranian forces and Yemen’s Houthi rebels since the start of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran earlier this year.
The State Department has formally notified Congress of the proposed sale. The transaction remains subject to final approval by U.S. lawmakers.
Article and image source: gulfnews.com
