US Approves Major Arms Sales: $6.67B to Israel, $9B to Saudi Arabia/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. approved major arms deals totaling over $15 billion to Israel and Saudi Arabia. The announcement follows regional instability and Trump’s Gaza ceasefire initiative. Critics, including Democrats, accuse the administration of bypassing congressional oversight.
U.S. Arms Deals to Israel and Saudi Arabia: Quick Looks
- $6.67B in arms approved for Israel, $9B for Saudi Arabia
- Israel to receive Apache helicopters, tactical vehicles, and utility aircraft
- Saudi Arabia gets 730 Patriot missiles to bolster Gulf air defense
- Deals align with Trump’s ceasefire push and regional strategy
- Rep. Gregory Meeks slams lack of Congressional consultation
- Arms sales come amid fears of U.S.-Iran escalation
- State Department insists sales won’t disrupt regional balance
- Officials emphasize strengthening allies’ self-defense and deterrent capacity
Deep Look: U.S. Approves $15.67 Billion in Arms Sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia Amid Rising Tensions
The Trump administration has greenlit a sweeping series of arms deals totaling more than $15 billion to key Middle East allies Israel and Saudi Arabia, marking one of the most significant arms transactions under President Donald Trump’s leadership since his return to office.
Announced by the U.S. State Department late Friday, the sales come as tensions escalate in the region and as the administration pushes forward with a fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement. Critics say the deals could inflame regional conflict, while supporters argue the arms bolster defense capabilities against shared threats like Iran.
Massive Package for Saudi Arabia
The $9 billion Saudi deal centers on the sale of 730 Patriot surface-to-air missiles, designed to enhance the kingdom’s integrated air defense capabilities. The weapons are expected to protect both Saudi and U.S. forces, as well as other regional allies operating in Gulf airspace.
In a statement, the State Department emphasized the strategic rationale behind the sale, calling Saudi Arabia a “major non-NATO ally” and describing the transaction as essential to ensuring “regional stability and economic progress.”
The announcement came just after Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signaling high-level coordination between Riyadh and Washington.
Israel to Receive Helicopters, Tactical Vehicles
Israel’s $6.67 billion weapons package is divided into four components, with the largest share—$3.8 billion—allocated to 30 Apache attack helicopters. The helicopters come equipped with advanced targeting systems, rocket launchers, and other combat-ready upgrades designed to enhance battlefield effectiveness.
In addition to air assets, Israel will receive:
- 3,250 light tactical vehicles for troop and logistics transport ($1.98 billion)
- $740 million worth of power packs for armored personnel carriers already in service since 2008
- $150 million for a small, undisclosed number of light utility helicopters to expand Israel’s airborne fleet
According to the State Department, the equipment is intended to support Israel’s ability to “defend borders, infrastructure, and population centers,” while maintaining a “strong and ready self-defense capability.”
Congressional Pushback
Despite the State Department’s assurances, the announcement drew immediate backlash from Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Gregory Meeks, ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accused the Trump administration of undermining congressional authority.
“The Trump Administration has blatantly ignored long-standing Congressional prerogatives while also refusing to engage Congress on critical questions about the next steps in Gaza and broader U.S.-Israel policy,” Meeks said.
He criticized what he described as a rushed rollout of the Israeli deal, saying it bypassed “years of standing practice” regarding legislative oversight on foreign arms sales.
Context: Ceasefire and Iran Tensions
The arms agreements come at a pivotal time in U.S. Middle East policy. President Trump’s recently brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely held after two years of violent conflict, but key challenges remain. These include disarming Hamas, deploying an international security force, and rebuilding Palestinian territory.
Meanwhile, anxiety grows over a possible U.S. military strike on Iran, which could ignite a broader conflict in the region. The approved weapons are seen by some analysts as a preemptive deterrent to reassure allies and secure U.S. strategic interests.
Despite the political friction, the State Department issued nearly identical statements for both sales, affirming that “none of the proposed deals will alter the military balance in the region.”
Instead, officials portrayed the transactions as critical to ensuring allied readiness and preventing future destabilization in a region already brimming with geopolitical risks.
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