U.S. Approves Potential $1 Billion APKWS Sale to UAE

The United States has approved a potential $1.04 billion sale to the United Arab Emirates of up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) guidance sections for rockets, according to the US State Department.

The United States approved a potential $1.04 billion sale of up to 10,000 APKWS II guidance sections to the United Arab Emirates. [Photo: AkelaFreedom, Wikimedia Commons]

The proposed sale would enhance the UAE's ability to respond to current and future threats, while strengthening interoperability with US forces, the State Department said.

The APKWS II system converts unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions.

The weapons can be used against a range of targets, including drones, providing a lower-cost option for some engagements compared with using more expensive missiles.

The UAE and other US-allied Gulf states have faced attacks involving drones and missiles during the ongoing conflict with Iran. Several of those countries also host US military facilities.

The State Department also approved a potential $400 million sale to Kuwait involving “repair and return services” for Patriot missile systems.