Middle East Tensions Escalate, Saudi Arabia Buys US Weapons Worth IDR 33 Trillion
The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will purchase weapons worth IDR 33 trillion from the United States. This purchase comes as the Middle East situation continues to heat up due to the war between the US and Iran.
According to AFP, the US State Department has approved the sale of weapons worth US$1.96 billion. These weapons systems are intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air defences.
“The proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” the US State Department said in a release.
Among the weapons desired by Saudi Arabia are up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems and their warheads, which the US Navy website describes as “a low-cost method of destroying targets while limiting collateral damage in close combat.” The principal contractor is BAE Systems in Nashua, New Jersey.
“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defence, and improve interoperability with US forces, and other regional and NATO forces,” the State Department release stated.
This move comes as Saudi Arabia appears to be on the brink of a new war with Houthi militia groups in Yemen, after they fired missiles at an airport in the southern Saudi city of Abha on Monday. The Houthi attack occurred after Yemeni government forces struck Sanaa airport to divert flights returning from the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with a Houthi delegation on board. The Iran-backed Houthi group blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack.
The move also comes amid a wave of escalating US attacks on Iran, following the re-imposition of a naval blockade as the two foes returned to war. “There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the US State Department said.
In recent days, the situation in the Middle East has continued to heat up. The US and Iranian militaries have resumed trading attacks. In the latest wave, the US military targeted Iranian military facilities on Wednesday night. US Central Command said the facilities were used to threaten ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“At 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, US forces launched a second wave of strikes today against Iran. The strikes targeted Iranian military capabilities used to threaten the free passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international waterway for global trade,” the US Central Command account wrote.
Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that explosions were heard in the city of Ahvaz, near the border with Iraq. Ahvaz has been repeatedly targeted by US forces since fighting resumed this month. Explosions were also reported in Chabahar after US missiles struck a naval watchtower in the city. The watchtower was a civilian facility used for maritime security and search and rescue operations for fishermen. A number of explosions were also reported near Bandar Abbas.
Iran subsequently launched retaliatory strikes. The Iranian military announced it had targeted US military facilities in Jordan with suicide drones. “The Islamic Republic of Iran Army announces that… in response to enemy aggression, it targeted US military communication systems and fuel storage facilities in Jordan using kamikaze drones,” state television IRIB reported. There were no immediate details on damage or casualties from the Iranian drone attack.