The United States authorized $15.67 billion in military sales Friday, with Israel receiving $6.67 billion and Saudi Arabia obtaining $9 billion in comprehensive defense packages. The State Department’s announcement came late Friday evening following congressional notification earlier in the day, with the timing coinciding with ongoing efforts to maintain the Gaza ceasefire while addressing broader regional security concerns including potential military confrontation with Iran.
Israeli procurement includes helicopters, vehicles, and modernization programs across four categories designed to enhance multiple operational capabilities. The centerpiece involves 30 Apache attack helicopters worth $3.8 billion, equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear that will provide Israeli forces with enhanced precision strike capabilities and improved surveillance capacity for operations ranging from border defense to counterterrorism missions across diverse environments.
The package also encompasses 3,250 light tactical vehicles valued at $1.98 billion to revolutionize ground force mobility, enabling Israeli Defense Forces to move personnel and logistics while extending lines of communication across challenging terrain. Additional funding provides $740 million for power packs to modernize armored personnel carriers in service since 2008, and $150 million for light utility helicopters to complement existing aerial assets and expand support capacity.
Saudi investment targets air defense systems exclusively through 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment designed to enhance protection against airborne threats. The State Department indicated that this enhanced capability will protect land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies, while significantly improving Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the integrated air and missile defense system safeguarding the Gulf Region.
Legislative concerns emerged regarding oversight procedures, with the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s ranking Democrat accusing the administration of blatantly ignoring long-standing congressional prerogatives. Representative Gregory Meeks stated that the Trump administration has rushed to announce the deals in a way that would disregard congressional oversight and years of standing practice, while also refusing to engage Congress on critical questions about the next steps in Gaza and broader U.S.-Israel policy.