Agencies | Washington:
United States has approved military sales worth over $8.6 billion to key Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting Washington’s deepening strategic engagement in an increasingly volatile region.
The approvals, announced by the US State Department, come amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its regional adversaries, despite a fragile ceasefire holding in recent weeks.
According to reports, the package includes a range of advanced military systems and support services. Qatar is set to receive Patriot air and missile defence support valued at approximately $4 billion, along with precision-guided weapon systems. Kuwait will acquire an integrated battle command system worth around $2.5 billion. Meanwhile, Israel and the UAE are slated to receive Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS), a guided rocket system widely used in modern warfare.
Major US defence companies such as RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems are expected to play key roles in executing these contracts.
In a significant move, the US administration invoked emergency powers to fast-track the deals, bypassing the usual congressional review process. Marco Rubio justified the decision by citing urgent security requirements tied to evolving conflict dynamics in the region.
The approvals come amid an ongoing confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has stretched military resources and heightened regional instability. Reports suggest that the conflict has begun to strain US weapons stockpiles, with some deliveries to European allies delayed to prioritise Middle East commitments.
Analysts view the latest arms package as part of a broader US strategy to strengthen allied deterrence capabilities and maintain military balance in West Asia, in line with its long-standing policy of supporting regional partners through defence cooperation frameworks.
