The United States has approved a $1.4-billion deal with Saudi Arabia that will include a likely sale of hundreds of machine guns of different calibers, 153 tanks, and other military weapons, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the West Asian country had requested 133 American M1A1/A2 Abrams tanks configured to Saudi's requirements, in addition to 20 others to replace their damaged tanks, AFP reported.

The DSCA said in a statement: "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping improve the security of a strategic regional partner, which has been and continues to be a leading contributor of political stability and economic progress in the Middle East." It added that the Congress had been informed about the deal and has 30 days to reject it.

The agreement includes the possible sale of armored recovery vehicles, smoke grenade launchers, and a host of other hardware. The announcement comes at a time when there were reports of civilian deaths caused by renewed Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen.