Washington, Sept. 5 -- The United States has approved a potential USD 5 billion sale of bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom seeks to strengthen its defences amid heightened regional tensions.

The US Department of State on Friday, September 4, said it had made a determination approving the possible Foreign Military Sale, which includes more than 10,000 JDAM guidance kits and 10,000 general-purpose bombs.

Saudi Arabia has requested 5,004 KMU-572 JDAM guidance kits and 5,000 KMU-556 JDAM guidance kits, along with 5,004 BLU-111 500-pound general-purpose bombs and 5,000 BLU-117 2,000-pound general-purpose bombs.

The proposed package also includes FMU-139 fuze systems, DSU-3...