The U.S. State Department has approved a total of $1 billion worth of potential weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, according to U.S. officials Thursday.
In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which works under the Pentagon, said Saudi Arabia was approved to purchase $670 million worth of (6,600) TOW 2B missiles along with 96 fly-to-buy lot for missiles.
"The proposed sale of TOW 2B missiles and technical support will advance the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop an integrated ground defense capability," the statement said, adding that Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense.
Additionally, the sale also includes nearly $407 million worth of a possible military equipment and service to Saudi army such as Maintenance Support Services (MSS) and Ordinance Corps Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case, which contains government furnished equipment; technical manuals and publications; essential spares and repair parts; consumables; live fire exercise and ammunition; tools and test equipment.