State Department approved Friday $15.67 billion in military equipment for Israel and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating continued commitment to regional security partnerships. The authorizations were announced publicly late Friday after congressional notification earlier in the day, representing one of the largest combined arms packages to Middle Eastern nations in recent years amid ongoing regional tensions.
Israeli allocation $6.67 billion encompasses helicopters, vehicles, and modernization programs. The Apache attack helicopter acquisition worth $3.8 billion for 30 aircraft equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear constitutes the largest portion, designed to enhance Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to defend borders, vital infrastructure, and population centers.
Additional Israeli procurement includes 3,250 light tactical vehicles at $1.98 billion to move personnel and logistics while extending lines of communication for the Israel Defense Forces. The package provides $740 million for power packs to modernize armored personnel carriers in service since 2008, and $150 million for light utility helicopters to complement similar equipment already operational.
Saudi $9 billion focuses on air defense with 730 Patriot missiles and supporting systems. The State Department emphasized this will support foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress, while protecting forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies.
Legislative questions emerge from Democratic congressional leaders challenging approval procedures and consultation timelines. Representative Gregory Meeks stated that 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, characterizing the approach as disregarding congressional oversight and years of standing practice.