The United States has approved more than $2 billion in military sales to Egypt, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, strengthening defense ties with key regional partners amid ongoing security concerns across the Middle East.
The approvals were formally communicated to Congress last week and include missile systems, air defense support and precision-guided weapon technology.
According to U.S. officials, the proposed sales are intended to support regional security, strengthen defense capabilities and advance long-term strategic partnerships with the three countries.
The largest approved package involves the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE received approval to purchase up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II kits, commonly known as APKWS-II. The package is valued at approximately $1.04 billion.
APKWS-II technology converts unguided rockets into precision-guided weapons through laser guidance systems. The equipment can be used in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.
Military analysts note that the air-to-air version has become increasingly important as a lower-cost method for countering drones and other aerial threats. The air-to-ground variant is designed to improve strike accuracy while reducing unintended damage.
The approval comes after the UAE faced extensive missile and drone threats during periods of heightened regional conflict.
Egypt received the second-largest approval in the latest group of defense deals.
The package allows Cairo to acquire more than 2,000 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles and as many as 200 launch units. The estimated value of the sale is $832 million.
The agreement also includes training equipment, simulation rounds, spare parts and technical support services.
The Javelin system is one of the most widely recognized anti-tank weapons in modern military service. Its effectiveness in recent conflicts has increased global demand for the missile platform.
U.S. officials stated that the sale will improve Egypt’s defense capabilities while supporting broader security cooperation between Washington and Cairo.
Kuwait received approval for a package valued at approximately $400 million.
The agreement covers repair services, maintenance support and replacement parts for Patriot air defense systems already operated by the Kuwaiti military.
Patriot systems play a critical role in defending against ballistic missiles, aircraft and other aerial threats. Maintaining operational readiness has become a growing priority for Gulf states facing evolving regional security challenges.
As part of the support package, five U.S. contractor representatives are expected to travel to Kuwait for up to two years. Their role will focus on technical assistance, maintenance coordination and documentation support related to the Patriot systems.
U.S. officials emphasized that the deployment will be limited and does not represent a permanent military assignment.
For Egypt and the UAE, officials said the approved sales would not require additional permanent deployment of U.S. personnel.
The State Department said the three agreements support American foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the capabilities of regional partners.
Officials also stated that the approved sales are not expected to alter the overall military balance in the Middle East.
The deals were processed through the Foreign Military Sales program, which allows countries to purchase U.S. defense equipment using their own government funds.
The program remains one of Washington’s primary tools for supporting allied military modernization and strengthening defense relationships.
Egypt also continues to receive significant military assistance through separate programs funded by the United States. Those arrangements have been in place for decades and are tied to longstanding regional security agreements.
The latest approvals arrive during a period of heightened security concerns across the Gulf region.
Several countries have faced increased threats from missile and drone attacks in recent years, prompting governments to invest heavily in air defense systems, precision weapons and military modernization efforts.
Defense experts say demand for advanced missile defense technology and precision-guided weapons is likely to remain strong as countries seek to improve readiness against evolving threats.
The newly approved sales reflect that trend and highlight the continuing role of the United States as a major supplier of military equipment to Middle Eastern partners.
With congressional notification completed, the agreements move forward as part of broader efforts to enhance regional security cooperation and strengthen defense capabilities among key U.S. allies in the region.
