Saudi Arabia to Acquire Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II

The U.S. State Department approved a potential $100 million sale of APKWS II to Saudi Arabia. The deal includes 2,000 precision-guided rockets, enhancing military effectiveness amidst ongoing conflict in Yemen. The systems offer precision targeting capabilities for engaging threats, particularly small armed drones, demonstrating a significant step in U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation.

The U.S. State Department has authorized a prospective sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II to Saudi Arabia, estimated at $100 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has officially informed Congress about this decision. The request includes the procurement of 2,000 APKWS units alongside spare parts, missile software, training, and logistical support.

APKWS, produced by BAE Systems, enhances standard 2.75-inch (70mm) Hydra rockets by integrating a guidance module that features fins with sensors capable of detecting laser signals from designated targets. Once the rocket is launched, it can alter its flight path towards the target, thus improving accuracy without modifications to its warhead or motor.

The APKWS II system boasts a range of up to 5 km, extendable to 12-15 km when launched from fixed-wing aircraft. This system is compatible with various platforms, including AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, and F/A-18 Hornet, and costs approximately $22,000 per unit. This makes it a cost-efficient solution for targeting small armed drones, particularly those employed by the Houthis in the Red Sea region.

This approval is occurring amid ongoing military actions against Houthi objectives in Yemen, a conflict that has been ongoing since 2014. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has been actively leading a coalition in support of Yemen’s government against the Iran-aligned Houthis.

Additionally, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has engaged in a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to enhance defense trade through mutual quality guarantees for arms exports. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is reportedly finalizing a $2.2 billion transaction with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for the acquisition of Pantsir-S1 air defense systems and associated equipment.

In summary, the United States is set to sell Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II to Saudi Arabia, enhancing the latter’s military capabilities with precision-guided munitions. This acquisition, alongside recent defense trade agreements, reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategic initiatives to bolster its defense mechanisms amid ongoing conflicts. The collaboration between the countries underscores a commitment to mutual defense and stability in the regional framework.

Original Source: www.defensemirror.com