US Approves $8.6 Billion Arms Sale: What It Means for Qatar and UAE?

Park Jun-hyuk. | 2026.05.04

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The U.S. approved roughly $8.6 billion in arms sales to partners in the Middle East. On May 2, the New York Times and other outlets reported the State Department said it would export weapons to Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Qatar, in particular, agreed to buy more than $4 billion in U.S.-made Patriot PAC-3 missile interceptors. The approval came after Secretary of State Mako Rubio invoked the Arms Export Control Act’s emergency provision, bypassing the usual congressional review process.The move accelerates deliveries of advanced air defense capability to regional partners amid ongoing security concerns in the region.Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23; Park Jun-hyuk (baktoyou@yna.co.kr)