US President Joe Biden met with the leaders of both countries in Saudi Arabia two weeks prior to the announcement of the agreement, in an effort to repair the country’s strained ties with them at a time when both countries consider Iran as a growing threat.
It was announced by the State Department that Saudi Arabia would purchase 300 Patriot MIM-104E missile systems, which can be used to shoot down long-range ballistic and cruise missiles, and even aircraft.
According to the Department of Defense, the worth of the missiles and their accompanying equipment, trainings, and parts is $3.05 billion.
Houthi militants in Yemen have recently threatened Saudi Arabia with rockets armed with Iranian-supplied weaponry and technology.
According to the State Department, the missiles are deployed to protect Saudi Arabia’s borders against cross-border Houthi unmanned aerial system and ballistic missile strikes on civilian areas and essential infrastructure.
THAAD surface-to-air missile systems will be sold to the United Arab Emirates for $2.25 billion by the United States.
To counter present and future ballistic missile threats in the area, the UAE will be less reliant on US troops as a result of the sale, according to the State Department.
