US Approves $8.6B Arms Sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE

The United States approved military sales totaling more than $8.6 billion to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, the State Department announced on Friday amid ongoing regional tensions linked to a conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

The packages include advanced systems designed to enhance air defense and precision strike capabilities. Israel received approval for $992.4 million in Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rounds and equipment. Qatar's deal covers $4.01 billion in Patriot Advanced Capability-2 and -3 missile interceptors, plus $992.4 million in similar precision kill weapons. Kuwait secured a $2.5 billion integrated battle command system, while the United Arab Emirates was approved for $147.6 million in guidance sections for the precision kill system.

Major US defense contractors, including RTX, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems, are expected to fulfill the contracts. The State Department invoked emergency authorities to expedite the approvals, bypassing the standard congressional review process. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited an "emergency [that] exists that requires the immediate sale of these weapons," tying the...