US approves possible $5bn weapons sale to Saudi Arabia amid Middle East tensions

• US says defence deal to boost Saudi air defence capabilities.
• US also approves possible $188m F-16 support deal for Oman.
• Washington clears possible $150m helicopter sale to Iraq.
  

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday announced the approval of a $5 billion sale of bombs, guidance kits and other equipment to Saudi Arabia, which has been repeatedly attacked during the US-Israeli war against Iran.

"The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia's airborne defence capability to counter current and future regional threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and improve interoperability with systems operated by US forces and other Gulf region partners," the US State Department said in a statement.

The ​State Department ​also said it had approved ‌a possible sale of AGT-1500 engines to Saudi Arabia ​for an ​estimated $750 ⁠million. The principal contractor ​for the sale of ​the ⁠engines is Honeywell, the department ⁠said.

The sale will also "support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-Nato ally," the department said.

Saudi Arabia has been targeted with drone and missile strikes by Iranian forces and Yemen's Houthi rebels since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran earlier this year.

The State Department has notified Congress of the proposed sale of the bombs to Riyadh, which still needs to be approved by US lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Washington approved two more sales to Oman and Iraq, underscoring the broader significance of the approvals.

The State Department said it approved the possible sale of F-16 aircraft sustainment services to Muscat for an estimated $188 million.

Another potential sale worth $150 million was approved for Iraq to purchase Bell 412EPX helicopters.

— With additional input from Agencies