US Approves $8.6 Billion in Arms Sales to Middle East Allies
Zsombor Peter
The US approved $8.6 billion in arms sales to Israel and Gulf states, invoking an emergency to bypass Congress amid the war with Iran. The deals include APKWS systems, Patriot defenses, and combat command equipment. Heavy munition use raises concerns about US readiness for a potential conflict with China.
The US administration has approved an $8.6 billion arms sales package for Middle Eastern allies amid the escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran.
According to a US State Department announcement on March 28, Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked an emergency situation to expedite the weapons transfers without prior congressional review, under the Arms Export Control Act. The department said it provided a "detailed justification" for the emergency, stressing the deals serve "US national security interests."
Israel and Gulf states have faced numerous missile and drone attacks from Iran since the war erupted in late February, severely depleting US weapons stockpiles and straining air defense systems.
Specifically, Israel was approved to purchase Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) and related equipment worth $992 million. Kuwait secured a combat command system valued at $2.5 billion. Qatar received approval for APKWS and supplementary Patriot missile defense systems worth nearly $5 billion. The UAE obtained approval for APKWS valued at $148 million.
The Patriot system intercepts incoming projectiles and is considered one of the most advanced defensive assets in the US military arsenal. APKWS converts unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions. The State Department noted the combat command system for Kuwait will enhance its air defense radar detection capabilities.
Earlier in March, the US State Department approved individual arms deals totaling $16.5 billion for the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, including drones, missiles, radar systems, and F-16 aircraft for the UAE, as well as missile defense radar systems for Kuwait.
Beyond the Gulf region, heavy US munitions usage in the Iran war has raised concerns about Washington's ability to confront China should a conflict involving Taiwan—the self-governing island claimed by Beijing—occur. A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) last month concluded the US has sufficient stockpiles for the war with Iran but would need more against a rival like China. The report assessed: "Pre-war stockpiles were already insufficient; current levels will constrain US operations in any future conflict."
