US approves potential $9 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia

By Reuters 31 January 2026, 7:27 am

Edit

A Patriot missile mobile launcher is displayed outside the Fort Sill Army Post near Lawton, Oklahoma, on March 21, 2023. (AP/Sean Murphy, File)

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Patriot interceptor missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia for an estimated cost of $9 billion, the Pentagon says.

The principal contractor for the sale of the missiles — Patriot advanced capability-3 missile segment enhancement missiles — will be Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon says in a statement.

The State Department approval follows a request by Saudi Arabia to buy 730 PAC-3 MSE missiles, the Pentagon says.

The proposed sale will not alter the military balance in the Middle East, and it will not result in any adverse impact on US defense readiness, the Pentagon adds.