US approves military sales to UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel

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US approves military sales to UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel

May 2, 2026

WASHINGTON,—The Trump administration has approved more than $8.6 billion in military sales to United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel, using an emergency authority that bypassed congressional review, the State Department said Friday, Reuters reported.

The announcements came as the U.S. and Israel military campaign against Iran reached nine weeks since it began, and more than three weeks after a fragile ceasefire took effect.

The State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that an emergency situation existed that required immediate approval of the arms deals, and waived the usual congressional review process.

The package includes a $4.01 billion sale to Qatar for Patriot air and missile defense replenishment services, and a $992.4 million sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems, known as APKWS.

Kuwait was approved for a $2.5 billion integrated battle command system. Israel was also cleared for APKWS purchases valued at $992.4 million. The United Arab Emirates received approval for APKWS valued at $147.6 million.

Patriot air defense system, a mobile interceptor missile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. Photo: NATO/nato.int

The State Department said BAE Systems is the main contractor for the APKWS sales involving Qatar, Israel and the UAE. RTX and Lockheed Martin are principal contractors for Qatar’s Patriot system replenishment and Kuwait’s command system.

Northrop Grumman is also involved in the Kuwait package.

The U.S. military support comes as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and U.S. forces has widened across the region.

Iran carried out strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases following joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.

The fighting has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions, including Israeli strikes in Lebanon and other regional operations.

Washington has faced repeated scrutiny over its arms partnerships with Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar, where rights groups report concerns over treatment of minorities, journalists, political dissenters, migrant workers and LGBT communities. The governments deny abuse allegations.

(With files from Reuters)