US green light for missile sale to Saudi Arabia

The US Department of Defence announced on Friday the approval of Saudi Arabia’s request to buy 600 patriot missiles worth $5.4billion, Anadolu news agency has reported.

In a statement, the department said that it decided to supply Saudi Arabia with 600 PAC-3 cost-reduction initiative missiles with containers, along with eight test missiles, telemetry kits, guidance-enhanced missiles, fire solution computers, launcher modification kits and other related equipment.

“The proposed sale will modernise and replenish Saudi Arabia’s current Patriot missile stockpile, which is becoming obsolete and difficult to sustain due to age and limited availability of repair parts,” said the Pentagon’s notice to Congress. “The purchase of the PAC-3 missiles will support current and future defence missions and promote stability within the region.”

The Patriot system is able to intercept ballistic missiles while in the air before they hit their targets because they are connected to a very sensitive radar system.

Observers said that the US is trying to reassure its allies in the Middle East through updating their defence systems. This latest move comes after the nuclear deal was agreed with Iran.