The State Department has approved a $2 billion sale of missiles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The sale includes 60 Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missiles made by Lockheed Martin, and 100 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) missiles made by Raytheon Co, the Pentagon said Friday in the sale’s announcement.

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“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of an important ally which has been, and continues to be, a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the Pentagon said.



The United States is the largest arms supplier to the UAE, providing 63 percent of all major weapons to the country since 2009, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

But many question the UAE’s military actions, including its involvement in the Saudi-led military coalition in the Yemen civil war.

“The proposed sale of these missiles will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the Pentagon said.