U.S. approves proposed sale of TOW anti-tank missiles to Saudi Arabia

By Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Thursday it had approved the possible sale to Saudi Arabia of TOW anti-tank missiles, part of a bigger $1 billion package that also includes helicopter maintenance and spare parts for military vehicles.

The department said it had notified the U.S. Congress on Thursday of the possible sale, which kick-starts a formal congressional review process.

Saudi Arabia requested to buy 6,600 TOW missiles and an additional 96 for training for a total of $670 million, the State Department said in a statement.

The proposed sale would improve the security of an important ally in the Middle East, it added.

"The proposed sale of TOW 2B missiles and technical support will advance Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop an integrated ground defence capability," the department said.

In addition, the State Department said it had also approved the possible sale worth $300 million of parts for Saudi Arabia's fleet of Abrams tanks and armoured vehicles.

Furthermore, it also gave the green light for the proposed sale of equipment and services worth $106.8 million for Saudi Arabia's fleet of military helicopters

The announcements came days after U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, crediting U.S. defence sales to the Saudis with boosting American jobs.

Earlier on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told Prince Mohammed there was an urgent need to find a political solution to Riyadh's campaign in Yemen's war. The conflict has displaced more than 2 million people and driven the country to the verge of widespread famine.

On Tuesday the U.S. Senate killed a resolution seeking an end to U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's involvement in Yemen.

(Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Sandra Maler and Cynthia Osterman)