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Carrier air wing fighter jets fly in formation over the U.S. aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) in the Arabian Sea on the 30th of last month (local time). / AFP, Yonhap News.

The U.S. government announced on July 15 (local time) that it has approved the sale of approximately $2.44 billion (about 3.6 trillion KRW) worth of U.S. military equipment to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement confirming the approval of a $1.96 billion (about 2.91 trillion KRW) arms sale to Saudi Arabia and a $484 million (about 720 billion KRW) military support package for Kuwait, UAE-based media outlet The National and other sources reported.

Saudi Arabia requested to purchase various precision-strike weapons and equipment, including up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS-II) air-to-air guidance sections and up to 10,000 air-to-ground guidance sections.

The package approved for sale by the U.S. includes launchers, warheads, rocket motors, fuzes, spare and repair parts, technical documentation, training equipment, and logistical support services.

The primary contractor for the Saudi Arabia deal will be BAE Systems, headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Separately, the foreign military sale with Kuwait involves providing C-17 transport aircraft sustainment, maintenance, and related equipment.

This announcement comes amid heightening military tensions, as Saudi Arabia and the pro-Iranian Yemeni Houthi rebels—who have been under a nominal ceasefire since March 2022—exchanged airstrikes on July 13.

Saudi Arabia and Yemeni government forces struck the Houthi-controlled Sana'a International Airport in Yemen. In immediate retaliation, the Houthis launched a strike targeting Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia.

Tensions flared up again after Saudi Arabia used military force to block a direct flight path for a Houthi delegation attempting to return to Yemen on an Iranian civilian aircraft after attending the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing concerns over arms smuggling.

The State Department explained, "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of major non-NATO allies that are force multipliers for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region."

                                                                                                            Kim Hyun-min