The United States has agreed to sell F-16s to Jordan and some other military equipment and weapons to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
According to the Pak Sahafat news agency, quoted by the Israel Times, Washington on Thursday announced that the US State Department has approved the possible sale of fighter jets and air defense systems to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to help stabilize the region and counter Iran.
The proposed sale includes fighter jets, ammunition and other equipment for Jordan at a cost of $ 4.21 billion. The United States will sell $ 23.7 million worth of military equipment to Riyadh to upgrade Saudi Arabia’s missile defense systems, and Abu Dhabi will spend $ 65 million on spare parts for missile defense systems based in the United Arab Emirates.
None of these major arms sales will change the military balance in the region, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
The Pentagon also said: The proposed sale of equipment will provide the Saudi armed forces with the necessary training and support to protect Saudi Arabia and the region from the destabilizing effects of terrorism and to counter Iranian influence and other threats.
The Pentagon has also announced that it has increased the UAE’s spare parts purchases for the Patriot, Todd and Hawk air defense systems from $ 30 million previously approved to $ 65 million.
Read more: American Institute: Saudi Arabia is facing an unprecedented state of insecurity: https://www.paksahafat.com/en/?p=19463
Jordan has also been allowed to purchase 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft with related equipment to upgrade its weapons. The Pentagon said the sale of the equipment would modernize the Jordanian Air Force and support US coalition goals.
In recent days, US officials have sought to reassure their strategic allies in the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
However, some sources say that Biden’s government appears reluctant to sell offensive weapons to the Saudis, who are accused of human rights abuses during the years of conflict in Yemen.