The United States has given preliminary approval for a $3.5 billion sale of air-to-air missiles for Saudi fighter jets, the latest proposed arms deal to the region ahead of President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to the region later this month.

The sale, announced early Saturday, is likely to be one of several Trump will announce during his visit to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has already said it wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, likely as a way to woo Trump into choosing the kingdom again for his first official visit as president. Trump traveled briefly to Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017 marked a break from the tradition of recent US presidents, who typically head to Canada, Mexico, or the United Kingdom on their first foreign trip. The visit also underscored his administration's close ties with the rulers of the oil-rich Gulf states, as his eponymous real estate company has made deals across the region.

The arms sale includes 1,000 AEM-120C-8 medium-range air-to-air missiles, guidance components, and other technical support. The missiles will be manufactured by RTX Corporation of Tucson, Arizona.

It is noteworthy that the Royal Saudi Air Force possesses the second largest fleet of F-16 fighter jets in the world, after the United States.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement, "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner nation that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region."

(dad)