US approves $785M bomb sale to UAE

The State Department has approved the sale of $785 million in bombs to the United Arab Emirates, according to a new report.

The deal is intended to help the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Reuters said Tuesday.

{mosads}The Pentagon on Tuesday announced that the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which facilitates foreign arms sales, had authorized the move.

Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, Reuters said, but such action is rare as transactions are carefully vetted.

Reuters said the potential deal includes 14,640 bombs and guidance kits, as well as other munitions. The kits turn unguided bombs into precision weapons when paired with navigation systems.

The U.A.E.’s Al Dhafra Air Base hosts about 3,500 U.S. troops and fighter and reconnaissance aircraft used against ISIS, according to Reuters.

The U.A.E. has participated in air strikes against ISIS positions in Syria, but the U.S. wants other Arabic Gulf nations to also contribute to the campaign.

The Pentagon on Tuesday said BAE Systems and Raytheon Co. are the principle contractors in the deal.

The Pentagon said State also approved the sale of 246 missiles and other equipment to Japan for $821 million on Tuesday.

Japan will use the technology to boost its sea defenses. The missiles will ultimately arm two new destroyers being built by the Asian nation.