U.S approves $650m weapon sale to Saudi Arabia

The United States has approved a $650 million sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia in what marks President Joe Biden’s first arms sale to the Kingdom.

The Pentagon said the US State Department approved the sale to help Riyadh counter current and future threats.

“This proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political and economic progress in the Middle East.

“Massachusetts-based firm Raytheon would be the principal contractor for the sale of AIM-120C-7/C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment,” the Pentagon said.

The sale comes months after President Joe Biden said he would end supports for Saudi Arabia’s offensive operations in Yemen, including relevant arms sales.

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Kamila/Al-Jazeera