U.S. Approves Sale of Precision-Guided Equipment to UAE
According to a report by Reference News Network on October 8, Agence France-Presse reported on October 5 that the United States announced on the 5th the approval of a $1 billion sale of 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rocket guidance kits to the United Arab Emirates.
The U.S. State Department stated, “This proposed arms sale will enhance the UAE's ability to respond to current and future threats by developing and maintaining its self-defense capabilities and improving interoperability with U.S. forces.”
The statement also said that this arms sale “will support U.S. diplomatic and national security goals by enhancing the security of an important defense partner.”
APKWS transforms unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions that can be used to target drones and other objectives, thereby avoiding the use of expensive missiles to take down relatively inexpensive drones.
Reports indicate that U.S. Gulf allies, including the UAE, have been heavily impacted by the Iranian conflict. During this period, the Iranian military has repeatedly targeted these countries with drones and missiles.
On the 5th, the U.S. State Department also announced the approval of a $400 million sale of “Patriot” missile “maintenance and return services” to another Gulf country, Kuwait. (Translation/ Qiu Fang)
On October 5, 2023, the U.S. approved the sale of 10,000 advanced precision-guided weapon systems (APKWS) to the United Arab Emirates for $1 billion. This sale aims to enhance the UAE's self-defense capabilities and improve interoperability with U.S. forces. Additionally, the U.S. announced a $400 million sale of Patriot missile maintenance services to Kuwait.
- The U.S. approved a $1 billion sale of 10,000 APKWS to the UAE.
- The sale aims to enhance the UAE's self-defense capabilities.
- The APKWS will convert unguided rockets into precision munitions.
- The U.S. also approved a $400 million sale of Patriot missile maintenance services to Kuwait.
- The sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.