US authorizes sale of 300 Patriot air defense systems to Saudi Arabia

Madrid, August 3 (Europe Press) –

The United States approved, on Tuesday, a possible sale to Saudi Arabia of 300 Patriot air defense systems worth more than 2,950 million euros, weeks after the meeting between the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This was stated in a statement by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which explained that the State Department had authorized the sale to “support the foreign policy and security objectives of the United States,” as well as to improve the security of a “partner nation.”

Specifically, the potential sale provides for delivery to Saudi Arabia—plus 30 Patriot systems—testing tools and equipment, training of new teams, technical assistance from the United States government and other logistics-related items.

“The proposed sale will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deal with current and future threats by replenishing its dwindling stock of Patriot missiles. These missiles are used to defend Saudi Arabia’s borders against persistent unmanned aerial systems. Cross-border and ballistic Houthi attacks. Missile attacks on civilian sites. and vital infrastructure,” the CEO of the United States explained in the letter.

“These attacks threaten the welfare of Saudi, international and American citizens (about 70,000) residing in Saudi Arabia,” she added.

The appointed contractor will be Raytheon Corporation, based in Massachusetts, and implementation of the sale will not require the appointment of any additional US Government representative.

In mid-July, Biden and bin Salman met in Saudi Arabia as part of the US president’s tour of the Middle East. Among other things, the bilateral meeting resulted in several agreements to extend the armistice in Yemen.