The State Department has notified the U.S. Congress that is has approved of a potential sale of nearly 7000 TOW 2B anti-tank missiles to Saudi Arabia as the Middle Eastern monarchy continues its military campaign in Yemen.

The sale, which would be concluded under the Pentagon’s Foreign Military Sales vehicle, is worth an estimated cost $670 million. In addition to the missiles, the Saudis are requesting additional maintenance and logistical support for American-made combat vehicles such as Abrams main battle tanks and Apache helicopter gunships under separate contracts worth $300 million and $107 million respectively.

“This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East,” the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said in a statement. “This potential sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key partners in the region with modern systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and increase stability.”

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“The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy up to six thousand six hundred (6,600) TOW 2B missiles (BGM-71F-Series) and ninety-six (96) TOW 2B (BGM-71F-Series) fly-to-buy lot validation missiles,” Bureau of Political-Military Affairs statement reads.  “The proposed sale of TOW 2B missiles and technical support will advance the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop an integrated ground defense capability. A strong national defense and dedicated military force will assist Saudi Arabia to sustain itself in its efforts to maintain stability.”

The other two contracts are to support Saudi Arabia’s fleet of M1A2 Abrams Tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs), M198 Towed Howitzers, AH-64D/E, UH-60L, Schweizer 333 and Bell 406CS helicopters.

Perhaps not coincidentally, all of the hardware has seen heavy use during Saudi Arabia’s conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen. While Saudi Arabia holds an overwhelming technological advantage over the rebel Houthi forces, the Shia militants have bloodied the noses of the poorly trained and motivated Saudi forces on more than one occasion. Indeed, Houthi rebels published a video in recent days that purport to show a Saudi F-15 Eagle being shot down by a Russian-made R-27 air-to-air missile launched as an improvised surface-to-air missile, though the veracity of the Houthi claims remain unconfirmed.  

Thus far, the Saudi’s ineptly managed campaign has proven to a humanitarian disaster where civilians have often found themselves in the crossfire.

Dave Majumdar is the defense editor for The National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter: @davemajumdar.