WASHINGTON, 5 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): The US State Department has approved a series of potential arms sales worth approximately $6.1 billion to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iraq, including precision-guidance kits, tank engines, fighter jet support and helicopters. The largest proposed deal would see Saudi Arabia acquire more than 10,000 extended-range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and related equipment in a package valued at around $5 billion. The deal also includes a similar number of unguided bombs, divided roughly equally between 500-pound and 2,000-pound munitions. The JDAM kits, supplied by Boeing, can convert conventional bombs into precision-guided weapons. The proposed sale comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to replenish its stocks of precision-guided munitions following heavy aerial bombardment during its conflict with Iran. The State Department separately approved a potential $750 million sale to Saudi Arabia covering 60 AGT-1500 tank engines used to power M1 Abrams tanks. Honeywell has been named as the prime contractor for the deal.

Meanwhile, the department approved a potential $188 million sale to Oman for sustainment services for the country’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets. The notification said no principal contractor had been identified for the deal, with support to be provided by the US government or contracted vendors as required. Oman has played a mediating role in the conflict involving Iran and has also faced criticism from US President Donald Trump, including threats of military action against the Gulf state. The State Department also authorised a potential $150 million sale of Bell 412EPX helicopters to Iraq, with Bell-Textron named as the primary contractor. The announcement came only days after Washington approved another potential $800 million helicopter sale to Baghdad involving Bell 412EPX and 407M helicopters. The latest notifications sent to Congress do not represent finalized arms agreements. The quantities and costs of the proposed weapons and equipment could change during negotiations. Under US law, Congress has 30 days to block the proposed sales, although such action is considered unlikely.