US Greenlights Precision Rocket Sale to Saudi Arabia Amid Rising Drone Threats in the Gulf

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – In a significant move reinforcing strategic defence ties in the Middle East, the United States has greenlit the sale of its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) to Saudi Arabia, a long-standing security partner in the Gulf region.

The laser-guided rocket system, designed to surgically strike airborne and ground threats with minimal collateral damage, is expected to bolster Riyadh’s layered defence architecture—particularly in countering the escalating drone campaign launched by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels operating from Yemen.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Saudi Arabia has formally submitted a request to acquire 2,000 APKWS rockets, underscoring the Kingdom’s intent to enhance its precision-strike capability across multiple domains.

The procurement, estimated at US$100 million (RM440 million), also includes a comprehensive package of spare parts, software, mission support equipment, and end-to-end training and logistics services, signifying Washington’s commitment to long-term sustainment and operational readiness for its Gulf ally.

The sale comes at a time when U.S.-Saudi defence cooperation is undergoing a renewed alignment under President Donald Trump’s administration, with both nations sharing a mutual strategic concern over Iran’s expanding regional influence and its asymmetric warfare proxies, particularly the Houthis.

The Yemeni conflict has evolved into a critical testing ground for drone warfare and missile defence—making Saudi Arabia’s investment in precision munitions all the more urgent.

In its congressional notification, the DSCA emphasized that the APKWS will “significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to respond to current and emerging threats with accuracy and restraint,” adding that the system offers a low-collateral alternative to traditional missile engagements—crucial in urban or civilian-dense operational theatres.

At the heart of the system is a laser-guided conversion kit developed by BAE Systems, which transforms unguided 70mm Hydra rockets into precision-guided munitions.

The APKWS integrates the Mk66 Mod 4 rocket motor and a 10-pound (4.5kg) high-explosive warhead, capable of achieving velocities up to 1,000 metres per second (3,280 feet).

At US$22,000 (RM97,000) per round, it presents a compelling cost-effective alternative to air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, which can exceed US$400,000 per unit (RM1.8 million).

With dozens of documented operational successes, the APKWS has proven especially effective in neutralizing low-cost, one-way attack drones, a tactic increasingly employed by the Houthis to harass maritime shipping lanes in the Red Sea and disrupt air operations near Saudi borders.

The weapon’s modularity allows it to be fired from rotary-wing aircraft, fixed-wing platforms, and even ground vehicles—granting commanders unparalleled flexibility in combat scenarios.

This is the first time the APKWS is being sold to Saudi Arabia, despite Riyadh’s longstanding position as one of the largest importers of U.S. defence technology.

According to a Reuters report, the deal reflects Washington’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s capability to integrate advanced precision systems into its existing force structure, which includes F-15 fighter jets, Patriot missile batteries, and THAAD interceptors.

The announcement closely follows a high-level meeting in February between U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, during which both sides reiterated the strategic indispensability of their partnership.

“Our cooperation matters a great deal,” Hegseth stated, highlighting bilateral efforts to combat terrorism and non-state actors—particularly in light of the Houthi insurgency’s evolution into a transnational security threat.

From a geopolitical lens, Saudi Arabia’s growing profile as a regional stabiliser and diplomatic intermediary—including in recent initiatives to mediate the Russia-Ukraine war—signals a broader recalibration of Riyadh’s foreign policy, aligning military strength with soft-power diplomacy.

With Yemen remaining a flashpoint in the Middle East’s security calculus, the APKWS acquisition serves as both a tactical asset and a strategic signal of intent: Saudi Arabia is preparing for a protracted, multi-domain conflict, and it is arming smartly for it.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA