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Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Biggest Arms Deal in History a Win for Trump
As President Donald Trump tours the Middle East, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a historic $142 billion arms deal that according to the White House was the largest defense sales agreement in history. The U.S. has recently finalized a series of arms deals with Gulf allies worth multiple billions of dollars, signaling Washington's continued strategic tilt toward regional partners amid escalating tensions with Iran and rivalry with Russia and China. The U.S. is deepening defense ties with Gulf allies through multi-billion-dollar arms deals as Trump returns to the region, reaffirming America's military foothold in a region increasingly eyed by China and Russia. "The sales that we intend to complete fall into five broad categories: air force advancement and space capabilities, air and missile defense, maritime and coastal security, border security and land forces modernization, and information and communication systems upgrades," the White House said in a statement. Earlier this month, the State Department approved a $3.5 billion sale of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles to Saudi Arabia, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. In March, the U.S. approved the sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) to the kingdom costing nearly $100 million upon the kingdom's request to buy 2,000 high precision weapons, the agency said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said both countries had worked "to take on terrorism and all its manifestations today, with groups like the Houthis," as he met with Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, the Saudi Defense Minister, in February. The U.S. recently approved the sale of advanced MQ-9B drones to Qatar for nearly $2 billion, the first sale of its kind to the region, aimed at enhancing the defense capabilities of the country that hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. Trump's ties with Qatar haver been boosted by its supporting role in brokering the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel. White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Doha on Tuesday evening in an effort to broker a new hostage-release and ceasefire deal, according to Axios. The relationship has recently come under scrutiny after Trump said he would accept a $400 million luxury plane as a gift from Qatar's royal family-though not yet confirmed by Qatar-to be used as Air Force One and transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation after he leaves office. As Trump headed to Riyadh, the State Department approved the sale of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.32 billion to the United Arab Emirates - another key regional ally. "The UAE will use these assets in search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated. White House in Tuesday statement: "Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history-nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms." Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, wrote on May 8: "The Middle East remains a key arena for geopolitical competition, and the fact that President Trump is making his first scheduled overseas trip in his second term to the Middle East sends a message that he is prioritizing the region." With Trump eyeing other big deals from Middle East partners, the U.S. is committed to enhance security and defense cooperation with key allies that also reinforce the strategic role of the United States. Related Articles The Stupidity of Law Firms Giving Up on the Law | OpinionSocial Security Users To Get $4,000 Boost in Payments: Who Is Eligible?Sky-High Corruption From Our Government of Gangsters | OpinionTrump Visits Saudi Arabia, Seeks $1 Trillion in Deals: Live Updates 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Biggest Arms Deal in History a Win for Trump on Middle East Tour
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As President Donald Trump tours the Middle East, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a historic $142 billion arms deal that according to the White House was the largest defense sales agreement in history. The U.S. has recently finalized a series of arms deals with Gulf allies worth multiple billions of dollars, signaling Washington's continued strategic tilt toward regional partners amid escalating tensions with Iran and rivalry with Russia and China. Why It Matters The U.S. is deepening defense ties with Gulf allies through multi-billion-dollar arms deals as Trump returns to the region, reaffirming America's military foothold in a region increasingly eyed by China and Russia. Advanced Weapons to Saudi Arabia "The sales that we intend to complete fall into five broad categories: air force advancement and space capabilities, air and missile defense, maritime and coastal security, border security and land forces modernization, and information and communication systems upgrades," the White House said in a statement. Earlier this month, the State Department approved a $3.5 billion sale of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles to Saudi Arabia, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. In March, the U.S. approved the sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) to the kingdom costing nearly $100 million upon the kingdom's request to buy 2,000 high precision weapons, the agency said. A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade load an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) training round for a live-fire exercise, Sept. 23, 2021, Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The APKWS is... A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade load an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) training round for a live-fire exercise, Sept. 23, 2021, Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The APKWS is the newest laser-guided rocket system utilized by the 12th CAB stationed throughout Europe. More Pfc. Jesus Menchaca/U.S. Army/DVIDS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said both countries had worked "to take on terrorism and all its manifestations today, with groups like the Houthis," as he met with Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, the Saudi Defense Minister, in February. Unprecedented Drone Sales to Qatar The U.S. recently approved the sale of advanced MQ-9B drones to Qatar for nearly $2 billion, the first sale of its kind to the region, aimed at enhancing the defense capabilities of the country that hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. Trump's ties with Qatar haver been boosted by its supporting role in brokering the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel. White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Doha on Tuesday evening in an effort to broker a new hostage-release and ceasefire deal, according to Axios. The relationship has recently come under scrutiny after Trump said he would accept a $400 million luxury plane as a gift from Qatar's royal family—though not yet confirmed by Qatar—to be used as Air Force One and transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation after he leaves office. Billion in Sales to UAE As Trump headed to Riyadh, the State Department approved the sale of CH-47F Chinook Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.32 billion to the United Arab Emirates — another key regional ally. "The UAE will use these assets in search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated. What People Are Saying White House in Tuesday statement: "Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms." Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, wrote on May 8: "The Middle East remains a key arena for geopolitical competition, and the fact that President Trump is making his first scheduled overseas trip in his second term to the Middle East sends a message that he is prioritizing the region." What Happens Next With Trump eyeing other big deals from Middle East partners, the U.S. is committed to enhance security and defense cooperation with key allies that also reinforce the strategic role of the United States.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Infrared Seeker For APKWS Guided 70mm Rockets Unveiled
We now have our first look at a new version of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) 70mm guided rocket with an infrared seeker on top of the existing laser guidance capability. The dual-mode APKWS II allows the launch platform to more rapidly engage multiple targets in succession, which could be particularly valuable in the air-to-air role when facing down large groups of drones or cruise missiles. Dave Smialek, director of business development at BAE Systems' Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions, talked today about the dual-mode APKWS II configuration with our Howard Altman on the floor of the Navy League's Sea Air Space 2025 exhibition. TWZ was the first to report that an additional passive infrared seeker was in the works for APKWS II, which emerged in the 2025 Marine Aviation Plan released earlier this year. 'So we're working on what we call a dual-mode seeker. So, it's an infrared seeker on top of the standard APK[WS II]. And the purpose is to increase the rate of fire,' Smialek explained. 'So now you'll still lase the target. You'll do an anoint and shoot. So rather than having to hold the lase for the duration [of the flight], from launch to terminal, you can now anoint your target, fire the rocket, [it] heads out, [and the] infrared seeker picks up the target.' Then you can 'move to your next target, do the same thing,' he continued. 'It's all about increasing the rate of fire and doing a kind of a pseudo fire-and-forget capability.' So, to summarize, an operator would initially lase the target to lock the infrared seeker onto it. Then after firing, the new APKWS variant would travel to its target autonomously. This is a major increase in efficiency over having to maintain a laser lock on the target throughout the weapon's flight. TWZ highlighted exactly these factors in our previous reporting on work on an infrared seeker for APKWS II and what that would bring to the table, especially for anti-air use, writing: 'Still, there are real limitations to APKWS in the anti-air role, whether fired from the ground or the air. It is generally usable against slower-flying drones and some cruise missiles, both of which are largely non-reactionary, non-hard-maneuvering targets. They also require the target to be lased (laser-designated) throughout the rocket's flight. In other words, this is not a 'fire-and-forget' weapon, it needs to have its target illuminated until the warhead detonates. This limits the rapidity of multiple engagements and, especially for air-to-air applications, makes engagements tricky. For the latter, having one aircraft lasing and one firing would help with these limitations, especially considering that the rocket has limited range and speed, and the firing aircraft has to clear any blast fragmentation area quickly in order to not be struck by its own weapon's effects.' 'What would make these engagements far easier is if the APKWS rocket was equipped with its own infrared seeker, something we have mentioned before. This would allow it to lock on before launch and fly to its target autonomously. This means multiple targets could be engaged far faster and, in many cases, in a safer manner. It also means that radar could be used to help initially acquire the target and point the seeker at it prior to firing, both in ground and air-based applications.' BAE's Smialek further described the dual-mode APKWS II as a next-generation evolution of the munition. The basic configuration consists of a laser guidance kit slotted in between one of a variety of warhead options and a standard 70mm rocket motor. This arrangement has been key to helping keep the overall unit cost of the munitions down, as well as allowing for the use of existing warhead and rocket motor stocks. The price point for the laser guidance unit is between $15,000 to $20,000, with the other components typically adding another few thousand dollars to the total cost. Putting the infrared seeker on the nose of the dual-mode APKWS II is prompting changes to the warhead arrangement, which BAE Systems is still working out. 'When we go to the dual mode, we'll go to a mid-body warhead. We're going through lethality studies now that are showing really no impact to [the] end game,' Smialek said. 'Actually, the lethality analysis is showing that you're getting … potentially a greater blast-frag[mentation] pattern. But you should have no loss of lethality based on the mid-body warhead.' How the new warhead configuration, together with the additional infrared seeker, will impact the unit cost of the dual-mode APKWS II compared to the baseline version is unclear. Smialek said that the new version is being developed with an eye toward 'maintaining the affordability' offered by the original design. Even if the dual-mode APKWS II is two or three times more expensive than laser-guided-only types, it would still be significantly cheaper than traditional air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. Current generation AIM-9X Sidewinders and AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) air-to-air missiles have price tags around $450,000 and $1 million, respectively. The latest variants of the Stinger short-range man-portable surface-to-air missile reportedly each cost around $400,000, while higher-end interceptors like the Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) have a price tag of close to $4.2 million. As noted, the dual-mode seeker would also be a valuable addition for engaging threats on land and at sea, and doing so more rapidly. There is another 70mm rocket with an infrared seeker on the market now, the U.S.-South Korean Low-cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR), which was developed primarily for coastal defense and other maritime applications. The baseline laser-guided APKWS II is already a combat-proven munition in the air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, and air-to-air roles. TWZ was first to confirm earlier this year that U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters have been using APKWS II rockets as air-to-air munitions to down Houthi drones over and around the Red Sea. It has since emerged that those rockets have been optimized for use against aerial targets with the help of a software modification called FALCO, which stands for Fixed Wing, Air Launched, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ordnance. The Air Force first announced it had demonstrated the ability of APKWS II to serve as an air-to-air weapon back in 2019. U.S. Fighter aircraft shoot down Iran-backed Houthi one-way-attack drones with AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Laser Guided 2.75" Rockets.#HouthisAreTerrorists — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 19, 2025 Dual-mode APKWS II will also retain the magazine depth benefits that the baseline version already offers, which again have particular value in the air-to-air role. A traditional air-to-air for the F-16, for instance, is just six missiles. Swapping just one of those missiles for a pair of seven-shot 70mm rocket pods, something we have seen on Vipers operating in the Red Sea region, more than triples the number of total engagement opportunities that the jet has on a single sortie. U.S. operations against the Houthis in Yemen, as well as in the defense of Israel since October 2023, have underscored the importance of magazine depth when trying to shield against large waves of incoming drones and missiles. During the response to Iran's drone and missile barrage on Israel in April 2024, the crew of at least one Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle switched to the aircraft's 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon after running out of missiles, but was unable to bring down anything with the gun. In that instance, aircraft were also landing to rearm while threats were still passing overhead. These are scenarios that U.S. forces could expect to play out in even larger forms in future higher-end fights, especially a potential one against China in the Pacific. Interestingly, Air Force F-16s based in Japan have also been observed with air-to-air loadouts that feature APKWS II rockets during exercises. 2025.01.23ロケット7発 # — ポテッタン (@potettan620) January 23, 2025 The addition of the infrared seeker to the proven APKWS II package raises the possibility of future iterations of the design, as well, though BAE's Smialek says that the company is presently focused on the new dual-mode configuration. The company says it is targeting the end of 2026 to at least have the development of the new version of the APKWS II, which is currently being internally funded, largely wrapped up. When a branch of the U.S. military or any other customers might field it remains unknown. Regardless, the new dual-mode guidance capability is a major development for the already highly-proven APKWS II rocket. Howard Altman contributed to this story. Contact the author: joe@
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
APKWS And Pantsir-S1s: Saudi Arabia Acquiring More Cost-Effective Defenses Against Drones
A Pantsir self-propelled surface-to-air and anti-aircraft missile system during the 'Peace Mission ... More 2021' joint counterterrorism military exercise on September 23, 2021 in Orenburg, Russia. (Photo by Li Chun/China News Service via Getty Images) Saudi Arabia's recent military acquisitions suggest that the kingdom is building more cost-effective air defenses against drones and other relatively cheap munitions, a completely understandable move given Riyadh's experiences against the Houthis in Yemen during the 2015-22 war. A March 20, 2025, State Department Defense Security Cooperation Agency press release revealed that Saudi Arabia has requested 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems II for an estimated $100 million. The DSCA release came a mere day after the official X account of U.S. Central Command, CENTCOM, published a video showing a U.S. fighter aircraft shooting down a Houthi drone with an APKWS. Given Saudi Arabia's recent experience fending off drones from the same group using far more expensive systems, its interest in the comparably inexpensive APKWS is hardly surprising. After launching its Decisive Storm air campaign against the Houthis in March 2015, Riyadh became embroiled in a conflict that would last until a ceasefire in March 2022. Later in that war, the Houthis repeatedly fired ballistic missiles and drones into the kingdom. Saudi Arabia relied heavily on its MIM-104 Patriot air defenses against the missiles and F-15 fighter jets firing expensive AIM-120 air-to-air missiles at incoming drones. As a result, Riyadh found itself expending air-to-air missiles worth millions, carried by high-performance jets that cost thousands per hour to fly, to shoot down drones that cost tens of thousands at most to build. Saudi Arabia moved to replenish these expensive missiles, requesting 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles for $650 million in late 2021 and 300 MIM-104E GEM-T missiles for $3.05 billion in mid-2022. With a laser guidance kit, the APKWS converts low-tech 70mm unguided rockets, primarily Hydra Mk 66s, into precision-guided munitions. The APKWS can hit targets in the air and on the ground and is compatible with everything from fighter jets and helicopters to Humvees and pickup trucks. The Ukrainians have used the ground-launched APKWS against incoming Russian drones. The CENTCOM video confirms the system is combat-tested against the exact type of drones that Saudi Arabia had no cost-effective way of intercepting a mere few years ago. That now looks set to change. And at $100 million for 2,000, Riyadh can well afford to expend laser-guided APKWS rockets at a much higher rate than its AIM-120 AMRAAMs should it face similar asymmetrical threats in the future. It appears the APKWS isn't the only more cost-effective system Saudi Arabia has sought to bolster its defenses against drone threats. According to reports by the Kyiv Independent and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project published in January 2025, Riyadh has also reached a deal to acquire the Pantsir-S1 medium-range air defense system from Moscow. Evidence of that hitherto undisclosed deal was discovered in leaked internal emails from Ruselectronics, a subsidiary of Russia's state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, that the investigative journalists examined. According to these reports, Saudi Arabia ordered 39 Pantsir-S1s in April 2021 when it was still enduring Houthi drone and missile attacks. The February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine doesn't appear to have canceled the contract, which was expected to last from its signing in 2021 until some time in 2026. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's enormous arms transfer database lists the 39 Pantsir systems and 900 57-E6 surface-to-air missiles. Incidentally, the only other transfer from Russia to Saudi Arabia on that exhaustive database is 10 TOS-1 multiple rocket launchers ordered in 2017. That's not because Russia was disinterested in selling the oil-rich kingdom its military hardware. On the contrary, Moscow had previously sought to sell Riyadh T-90 main battle tanks and BMP-3s in 2008 and also pushed it to buy its strategic S-400 Triumf air defense system in the late 2010s. Riyadh's reported interest in the Pantsir-S1 was likely due to its capabilities as a point defense system against threats such as drones. Its 57-E6 missiles and anti-aircraft artillery are arguably ideal for threats like Houthi drones and cruise missiles. During the long war with the Houthis, Saudi oil infrastructure was targeted, most notably in the September 14, 2019, Abqaiq-Khurais drone attack, which briefly cut Saudi oil production by half and undoubtedly unnerved the kingdom's leadership. Pantsir-S1s deployed at such sensitive sites could provide Riyadh with an additional defensive layer against future attacks of that kind. And with 39 systems reportedly being delivered, they could cover a significant number of critical infrastructure and strategic sites throughout the country. As with the APKWS, the Pantsir-S1 is a much more cost-effective solution for asymmetrical threats such as militia drone strikes than other high-end air defense systems in Riyadh's arsenal. According to those leaked emails reviewed by the Kyiv Post and OCCRP, Saudi Arabia had agreed to pay over 2 billion euros, $2.158 billion, for the systems and related services. That's a lower overall price tag than those 300 Patriot interceptors it ordered to replenish its dwindling stocks in 2022, an experience the kingdom doubtlessly wants to avoid repeating. As with its neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, which acquired the Pantsir-S1 over a decade ago, Saudi Arabia is gradually building a diverse, multi-layered air defense. In addition to its Patriots, it has the even more advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile systems on order, expecting completed delivery and deployment by 2028. Riyadh has also ordered medium-range KM-SAM Block II systems from South Korea. These are among the best air defense missile systems available on the market today. And with Pantsir-S1s covering the lower tier of Saudi air defense against drone threats, potential gaps or blindspots that could make another asymmetrical attack like Abqaiq-Khurais possible should at least be partially plugged or covered. The Russian-made systems may even end up serving as the last line of defense for certain strategic sites and infrastructure across the vast desert kingdom. With systems like the Pantsir-S1 and APKWS at its disposal, Saudi Arabia will be better positioned to counter aerial asymmetrical threats while preserving its more advanced interceptors and systems for other more dangerous threats it might one day face.
See - Sada Elbalad
21-03-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
US Approves Sale of Precision Rockets to Saudi Arabia
Israa Farhan The United States has approved a potential arms deal to sell advanced precision-guided weapon systems to Saudi Arabia, according to the Pentagon. The deal, valued at about $100 million, includes Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) along with logistical support, software, and training. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed on Thursday that Saudi Arabia has requested to purchase 2,000 APKWS units, spare parts, and related technical and logistical services. The proposed sale aims to strengthen the kingdom's military capabilities while aligning with US foreign policy objectives and national security interests. According to the Pentagon, these precision-guided systems will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to engage targets with greater accuracy while minimizing collateral damage compared to conventional missile systems. This technology is expected to bolster the country's defense infrastructure amid ongoing regional security challenges. The Pentagon assured that the sale would not disrupt the military balance in the region or negatively impact US defense readiness. The decision reflects Washington's continued commitment to supporting its Gulf allies in maintaining regional stability. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System is a cost-effective solution that converts unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions. By integrating a laser-guidance system between the warhead and rocket motor, APKWS enhances the effectiveness of air, land, and naval strikes without requiring expensive missile systems. As a key defense partner, Saudi Arabia has consistently invested in modernizing its military arsenal, particularly in response to regional threats. The latest arms agreement follows a series of US-Saudi defense deals in recent years, underscoring Riyadh's strategic military partnership with Washington. This sale comes amid broader discussions about US arms exports to the Middle East and ongoing geopolitical developments in the Gulf region. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) News Ireland Replaces Former Israeli Embassy with Palestinian Museum News Israeli PM Diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Lifestyle Maguy Farah Reveals 2025 Expectations for Pisces News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
