The US government approved on Monday a $582 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia amid rising tension in the Gulf and increased attacks on tankers by the Iran-backed Houthi group.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of RE-3A Tactical Airborne Surveillance System Aircraft Modernization and related equipment for an estimated cost of $582 million,” the State Department said in a statement.
The notification has been sent to Congress, which now has 30 days to review it. Congress can choose not to block the notification, but it has the ability to do so.
The sale would fund hardware, software, and support to replenish and modernize Saudi Arabia's RE-3A Tactical Airborne Surveillance System (TASS) aircraft. According to the State Department, it includes:
