WASHINGTON — The US government has approved the sale to Saudi Arabia of the advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system for $15 billion, the State Department said Friday.

"This sale furthers US national security and foreign policy interests, and supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian and other regional threats," a statement said.

Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed, on Thursday, to supply a number of armament systems. The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed with Russia contracts for the supply of advanced air defense systems (S-400), Kornet-EM systems, TOS-1A missiles, AGS-30 bombers, Kalashnikov AK-103 and its ammunition, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Rosoboronexportt, Russia's exports/imports of defense-related and dual use products.

With the directives of Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mohammed Bin Salman, the two sides signed the agreements which are expected to be pivotal in the growth and development of the military and weapons systems industry in Saudi Arabia. — Al Arabiya English