With Advanced "TOW" Missile Deal.. Washington Enhances Riyadh's Defense Capabilities
The $500 million military deal indicates American desire to strengthen the Kingdom's defensive capabilities amid escalating regional threats
October 25, 2024, 12:03 am

السعودية - الجيش السعودي

The U.S. Department of Defense "Pentagon" has approved the sale of "TOW" missile system to Saudi Arabia, as the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency disclosed the approval of a potential military sales package to Riyadh worth $500 million, confirming that an official notification has been sent to Congress.

The Pentagon-affiliated agency emphasized in its statement that the proposed deal aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives, indicating the proposed package's role in enhancing Saudi capabilities to face current and future challenges.

This deal falls within a series of extended military cooperation between the two countries spanning decades. The "TOW" anti-tank missiles are among the most prominent guided missile systems in the American arsenal, with a range of up to 4.5 kilometers and the ability to penetrate armor to a depth of 900 millimeters.

This deal coincides with escalating tensions in the region, especially with continuing regional threats, and the Kingdom's pursuit to develop its defensive capabilities. The U.S. Congress must review the deal's details within 30 days before proceeding with final implementation procedures, according to the protocols followed in foreign arms deals.

Military experts welcomed the deal, considering it enhances the strategic balance in the region, and pointed to its importance in developing Saudi defensive capabilities.

Diplomatic sources point to the possibility of expanding military cooperation between the two countries in the next phase, with discussions of additional deals including advanced defense systems.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”