US approves sale of advanced weapons to Saudi Arabia in deal worth $3.5 bln: Pentagon

The US State Department approved a $3.5 billion deal late Friday for the sale of advanced missiles and weapons to Saudi Arabia, according to the Pentagon.

This agreement involves the sale of 1,000 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 50 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections to the Kingdom.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, based in Arizona.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Washington also approved the sale of precision-guided weapon systems to Saudi Arabia in March, one in a string of US-Saudi arms deals under US President Donald Trump.

Trump is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia later this month for his first official visit abroad. He will also make stops in the UAE and Qatar.