The US State Department has approved the sale of Patriot missiles to the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

The estimated cost of the sale is $2 billion. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 10, 2017. This reads:

“The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested the possible sale of sixty (60) Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missiles with canisters and one hundred (100) Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) missiles.

Also included are canisters, tools and test equipment, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, spare and repair parts, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $2 billion.”

The deal will enhance the UAE’s capability to ‘meet current and future aircraft and missile threats’ the agency say.

The UAE has fielded the Patriot system since 2009 and will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces.

The US State Department say that:

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