US Patriot PAC-3 missile launcher [File photo from UPI Yonhap News]

The US administration of Donald Trump has approved the sale of $8.6 billion (approximately 13 trillion won) worth of weapons to its allies in the Middle East.

According to The New York Times (NYT) on the 2nd (local time), the US State Department announced in a statement that it would export weapons to Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait.

Qatar has agreed to purchase US-made Patriot PAC-3 missile interceptor systems worth over $4 billion (approximately 5.9 trillion won).

The inventory of Patriot missiles has been depleted due to increased usage during the war with Iran.

Kuwait has also decided to acquire an advanced air defense system worth $2.5 billion (approximately 3.7 trillion won).

Israel and the UAE, among others, will receive precision-guided munitions capable of launching laser-guided rockets.

This sales approval comes after countries in the Middle East, including Israel, extensively consumed weapons in the conflict with Iran.

However, the actual deployment timing is uncertain, as the production of major weapons systems, such as defensive interceptors, takes years.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo approved these deals by invoking the "emergency provision" under the Arms Export Control Act.

Consequently, the usual congressional review process has been bypassed.

This marks the third time the Trump administration has invoked the emergency provision for arms sales.

The State Department stated that these arms sales align with US national security interests.

However, Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the decision, saying, "Decisions on major security matters are being made by disregarding the law and bypassing Congress."