US approves potential $15 bln arms sale to Saudi Arabia

The US State Department has approved a potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to Saudi Arabia for an estimated cost of $15 billion.

Saudi Arabia has requested a potential sale of 44 THAAD launchers, 360 missiles, 16 Fire Control and Communications Mobile Tactical Stations, and seven AN/TPY-2 radars, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

The package also includes 43 trucks, generators, electrical power units, trailers, tools, spare parts, and a variety of maintenance, communications, and training equipment.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a friendly country,” the agency said, adding that the sale also supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of regional threats.

In addition, the arms deal  will “substantially increase Saudi Arabia’s capability to defend itself against the growing ballistic missile threat in the region,” the statement added.

The principal contractors for the THAAD system are Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation and Raytheon Corporation, the statement said.