Arms trade

US clears transport and attack helo sales to Middle East

The US government has approved a package of transport and attack helicopters for the Middle East valued at USD7.01 billion.

Two separate sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) worth USD3.51 billion and USD3.5 billion respectively were approved by the State Department on 8 December, and announced by the Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA) the following day.

For Saudi Arabia, the US government has allowed the procurement of 48 Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters, as well as ancillary equipment, training, and support. The UAE has been cleared to buy 37 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, plus ancillary equipment, training, and support.