US Will Fast-Track $16.5 Billion in Weapons to Mideast Allies

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is circumventing Congress to fast-track the sale up to $16.5 billion in air defense systems, radars and missiles to Middle East allies that have borne the brunt of Iranian retaliation to the US and Israeli military campaign against the regime in Tehran.

The State Department approved the sale of RTX Corp.’s advanced radar system — known as they Lower Tier Air and Missle Defense Sensor — valued at $8 billion to Kuwait, it said in a release. The United Arab Emirates got approval to buy about $8.5 billion in F-16 fighter-jet munitions, THAAD air defenses, and anti-drone FS-LIDS systems.