U.S. Approves $1.96 Billion Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia Amid Renewed Houthi Missile Threat

Washington says the precision rocket package will bolster Saudi homeland defenses as the kingdom faces fresh missile fire from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement and the region braces for wider fallout from the U.S. campaign against Tehran.

The United States has approved a proposed $1.96 billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia as fighting intensifies across the Middle East and the kingdom faces renewed missile threats from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement. The State Department said the package would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s homeland defenses and advance American security interests in the strategically vital Gulf region.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region.”

— U.S. State Department

The proposed sale includes as many as 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems, commonly known as APKWS, along with warheads, equipment, training and related support. The laser-guided rockets can be used against airborne and ground-based threats while offering a less expensive alternative to larger interceptor missiles.

BAE Systems would serve as the principal contractor. The State Department said the sale would improve Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter existing and emerging threats while increasing coordination with American, regional and NATO forces.

“There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

— U.S. State Department

Houthi Threat Returns to Saudi Territory

The announcement comes only days after Houthi forces launched missiles toward Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, raising fears that years of relative calm between Riyadh and the Yemeni terrorist organization may be ending.

The Houthis carried out repeated missile and drone attacks against Saudi cities, airports and energy facilities during the height of Yemen’s civil war. Those attacks declined following a 2022 truce, but the movement has continued expanding its Iranian-supplied missile and drone arsenal.

Recent hostilities have again placed Saudi population centers and critical infrastructure within range of Houthi weapons. The precision rockets included in the proposed American sale could help Saudi forces counter drones, cruise missiles and other lower-cost threats without expending far more expensive air-defense interceptors.

The sale also comes as the United States conducts an expanding military campaign against Iranian regime targets, placing Gulf nations on heightened alert for possible retaliation by Tehran or its regional proxies.

A Region on Alert

Saudi Arabia’s geographic position gives it enormous strategic importance. The kingdom borders the Red Sea and sits near critical oil facilities, maritime routes and American military interests. Washington has increasingly sought to build a more integrated regional air-defense network capable of detecting and intercepting Iranian missiles and drones before they reach their targets.

The weapons package must still pass through the congressional review process, and the final value could change depending on the equipment ultimately purchased and the terms of any completed contract.