US approves $16.5bn arms deal to Gulf states
Mar 20, 2026
Washington [US], March 20: The United States Department of State has approved a $16.5bn deal for arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan as tensions with Iran continue to intensify.
On Thursday, the State Department explained that $8.4bn worth of arms would go to the United Arab Emirates to pay for drones, missiles, radar systems and F-16 aircraft.
As part of the deal, Washington also approved roughly $8bn for air and missile defence radar systems to Kuwait and an additional $70.5mn to Jordan, which would cover aircraft and munition support.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major defense partner," the State Department said in a statement.
"The UAE is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East."
The sale comes amid ever-increasing tensions between the US and Iran. The administration of US President Donald Trump joined Israel in attacking Iran on February 28, and the resulting war has prompted fears of a protracted regional conflict. The war has also caused energy prices around the world to surge. The latest arms deal comes as the Pentagon seeks more money to fund the war. The US Department of Defense is seeking an additional $200bn, according to The Associated Press, citing an unnamed senior White House official.
In a Thursday morning news conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not confirm an exact dollar amount, but he did acknowledge he was seeking a significant spending boost from Congress.
"Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys," he said. The request for more funds comes on top of additional funding the Defense Department received under President Donald Trump's tax bill last July, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Source: Qatar Tribune
