The US State Department has approved another Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Saudi Arabia, valued at an estimated $1.96 billion. According to the announcement, the proposed sale would “augment Saudi Arabia’s operational aircraft and enhance its air-to-air, and air-to-ground self-defense capability.”
In detail, Saudi Arabia requested 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS-II) laser-guided rockets: 10,000 with air-to-air guidance sections and 10,000 with air-to-ground sections. Under the deal, BAE Systems would also provide the full package needed to bring the weapons into service quickly, including LAU-131 A/A launchers, Mk-152 high-explosive warheads, MK-66 rocket motors, proximity fuzes, WTU-1/B practice warheads, inert MK-66 rocket motors, test support equipment, launch and employment equipment, training, and spare parts.
The new capability would provide strategic and operational benefits by improving battle economy and strengthening the protection of Saudi Arabia’s strategic assets. In particular, it would “convert cheap, unguided rockets into precise, low-cost interceptors,” helping preserve costly PATRIOT missile stockpiles for higher-value threats.
If confirmed, the acquisition would strengthen the security of “a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” while improving battlefield interoperability with US forces in the Gulf.
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