US approves $5bn sale of bombs to Saudi Arabia

The United States announces the approval of a $5 billion sale of bombs, guidance kits and other equipment to Saudi Arabia, according to AFP.

“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s airborne defence capability to counter current and future regional threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and improve interoperability with systems operated by US forces and other Gulf region partners,” the US State Department says in a statement.

The sale will also “support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-Nato Ally,” the department says.

The State Department has notified Congress of the proposed sale of the bombs to Riyadh, which still needs to be approved by US lawmakers.