Washington, July 16 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for accelerating weapons production as his administration approved a proposed $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, underscoring Washington’s efforts to bolster defense capabilities amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Speaking at the Defense and Innovation Summit in Pennsylvania, Trump urged defense industry executives and military officials to expand production capacity and speed up the delivery of advanced weapons systems, saying the United States produced the world’s highest-quality weapons but needed to manufacture them more quickly.
The summit, hosted by the U.S. Army War College, brought together senior military leaders, defense contractors, investors and technology executives to discuss strengthening the country’s defense industrial base and improving the supply of advanced military systems.
Trump’s remarks come as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to consume large quantities of interceptor missiles, ammunition and other military equipment, placing increasing pressure on U.S. defense supply chains and manufacturing capacity.
Separately, the U.S. State Department approved a proposed $1.96 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia, saying the sale would advance U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the defense capabilities of a major non-NATO ally and a key contributor to regional stability.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the proposed package includes up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) and associated warheads. The principal contractor will be BAE Systems, based in Nashua, New Hampshire.
The State Department said the sale would enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter current and future threats while improving interoperability with U.S., regional and NATO forces.
The announcement came two days after Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia toward the kingdom’s southern regions. It also comes amid escalating military exchanges between the United States and Iran and Washington’s reimposition of a blockade on Iranian ports.
T.S /ABD
