The United States has approved potential military sales worth an estimated $2.27 billion to three Middle Eastern countries — the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Kuwait — as the region continues to face heightened security tensions linked to the war with Iran.
The US State Department notified Congress of three proposed Foreign Military Sales deals involving precision-guidance equipment for the UAE, Javelin missiles for Egypt and maintenance support for Kuwait’s Patriot air-defence systems.
The combined value of the proposed transactions is about $2.27 billion, according to the State Department notifications.
UAE Accounts for the Largest Deal
The biggest proposed package is for the United Arab Emirates, with an estimated value of $1.041 billion.
Under the proposal, the UAE has requested up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II (APKWS-II) guidance sections, along with associated equipment and support.
The technology is designed to turn conventional unguided rockets into precision-guided weapons. The requested equipment includes both air-to-air and air-to-ground configurations.
The proposed sale comes as Gulf states continue to strengthen their air and missile defence capabilities amid the wider regional conflict.
Egypt Seeks Javelin Missiles
Egypt’s proposed package is valued at approximately $832 million and centres on Javelin missile systems.
The request covers as many as 2,020 FGM-148F Javelin missiles, including 20 missiles intended for testing and evaluation, as well as up to 200 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units.
Javelin is a portable anti-armour weapon system used by the US military and several allied forces.
The proposed acquisition would add to Egypt’s military capabilities at a time when Cairo is playing an important diplomatic and security role in the broader Middle East crisis.
Kuwait to Receive Patriot Support
The third proposal involves Kuwait and is estimated at $400 million.
Rather than a new weapons purchase, the package focuses on repair and return services for Patriot missile systems and related equipment.
The Patriot system is a major component of air-defence networks used by several Gulf countries to protect against missile and other aerial threats.
The proposed maintenance package would help Kuwait keep existing defence equipment operational amid continuing regional security concerns.
Deals Come During Iran War
The announcements come more than seven months after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on February 28.
Iran subsequently retaliated with attacks targeting US military positions and other sites across parts of the Gulf region, including locations in the UAE and Kuwait.
The conflict has placed additional pressure on countries that host American military personnel or have strategic partnerships with Washington.
The latest arms proposals therefore come against a backdrop of heightened concern over missile, drone and other military threats across the Middle East.
US Defence Sales to Gulf Partners
Washington has continued to supply military equipment and services to its Middle Eastern partners as regional tensions have intensified.
The UAE, Kuwait and other Gulf countries have significant security relationships with the United States, while American forces and military infrastructure are present in several countries across the region.
For the US, maintaining those defence relationships is also connected to broader efforts to protect shipping routes and military installations in a strategically important part of the world.
Approval Does Not Mean Final Delivery
Although the State Department has approved the potential sales and notified Congress, the announcements do not automatically mean that all three transactions have been completed.
Foreign Military Sales can still go through further negotiations involving the US government, the purchasing country and defence contractors before final agreements are concluded.
The proposed value is therefore an estimate of what the transactions could cost if all requested equipment and services are ultimately purchased.
The announcements nevertheless represent another significant expansion of potential US military sales to partners in the region.
Regional Security Concerns Remain
The new proposals highlight how the conflict with Iran continues to influence defence planning across the Middle East.
For the UAE, precision-guided weapons could strengthen its military capabilities. Egypt’s proposed Javelin purchase would expand its stock of anti-armour weapons, while Kuwait’s Patriot support is aimed at maintaining an important layer of air defence.
Together, the three packages demonstrate the different security priorities of Washington’s regional partners.
As the Iran conflict continues to shape military calculations, demand for American weapons, maintenance services and defence technology is likely to remain an important part of US relations with countries across the Middle East.
