Washington: The US State Department cleared a potential USD 5 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia on Friday, significantly expanding the kingdom's precision-strike capabilities.

According to official statements, the transaction covers more than 10,000 guidance kits designed to convert conventional general-purpose bombs into extended-range, steerable precision weapons. The package includes 5,004 500-pound (230 kg) variants and 5,000 2,000-pound (900 kg) variants. The guidance systems feature Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) technology, which integrates standard JDAM guidance assemblies with specialized wing kits to extend stand-off ranges, enabling aircraft to strike targets from greater distances.

Washington stated that the proposed transfer serves US foreign policy and national security interests by strengthening Saudi Arabia, describing the kingdom as an important contributor to political stability and economic development in the Persian Gulf. The State Department noted that the weapons will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to conduct airborne strikes against current and potential regional threats, improve defensive capabilities, and increase interoperability between Saudi forces, US military systems, and regional Persian Gulf partners.

Virginia-based US defense contractor Boeing has been designated as the principal contractor for the transaction.

The approval comes as Washington expands military cooperation and arms transfers across the Persian Gulf amid ongoing regional conflict involving Iran. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran, following earlier strikes. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes against Israeli-occupied territories and US regional positions.

Following a ceasefire on 7 April, Iranian and US presidents signed a memorandum of understanding on 18 June to establish a 60-day diplomatic framework. However, renewed US strikes have led to further retaliatory actions from Iran.