The U.S. has cleared more than $16.5 billion in potential weapons sales to the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan as Washington and Israel press an air campaign against Iran and Tehran strikes back with drones and missiles.
The U.S. government has approved more than $16.5 billion in potential weapons sales to three Middle Eastern allies, delivering advanced missiles, radar systems, and precision munitions to partners facing Iranian drone and missile attacks, as the United States and Israel continue their air campaign against Iran.
The State Department cleared the arms packages for the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes against U.S. partners in the region, disrupting air traffic and constraining oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE stands to receive the largest share of the new approvals, with four separate packages totaling roughly $8.5 billion spanning air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground munitions, counter-drone technology, and a long-range missile defense radar.
The State Department cleared the UAE to purchase 400 AIM-120C-7 or AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, along with related equipment and services, for $1.22 billion. A separate $644 million approval covers air-to-ground weapons for the UAE’s fleet of F-16 fighters, including 1,500 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs and 1,200 Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits.
Two additional packages round out the UAE portion of the deal. A $2.1 billion sale covers a counter-unmanned aerial systems package, while a $4.5 billion approval funds a long-range discrimination radar capable of integrating with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system the UAE already operates.
“This proposed sale will improve the United Arab Emirates’ capability to meet current and future threats in the region by expanding the defended area to 360 degrees, benefiting the US and its partners,” the State Department said in a notice accompanying the THAAD radar approval.
Kuwait’s clearance centers on an $8 billion acquisition of five Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors, a Raytheon system designed to replace the AN/MPQ-65 radar currently used in the Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
Jordan, for its part, was cleared for a comparatively modest $71 million package covering aircraft and munitions support. The sale modifies a previous $49.1 million approval and is aimed at improving the operational readiness of Jordan’s C-130 tactical transports, F-16s, and Northrop F-5s.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. approved more than $16.5 billion in potential arms sales to the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan amid escalating Iranian drone and missile attacks on U.S. regional partners.
- The UAE secured four packages—AMRAAMs, precision air-to-ground munitions, a counter-drone system, and a THAAD-compatible long-range radar—totaling roughly $8.5 billion.
- Kuwait was cleared for an $8 billion Raytheon radar system to modernize its Patriot missile defense network.
- Jordan received a $71 million readiness upgrade for its C-130, F-16, and F-5 fleets, expanding a prior $49.1 million case.
