US Gulf ally rushes to buy 20,000 'drone swatters' to hunt Houthi drones under $1.96 billion deal

The United States has approved a $1.96 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia that includes 20,000 APKWS II laser-guided rockets designed to counter drones and cruise missile threats. The precision-guided "drone swatter" converts standard Hydra-70 rockets into low-cost interceptors, offering a far cheaper alternative to firing million-dollar air-to-air missiles at inexpensive Shahed-type drones. Defence experts believe Saudi Arabia's F-15SA and Eurofighter Typhoon fleets are the most likely platforms to carry the weapon. The deal comes as Houthi drone and missile attacks continue to threaten the Gulf, strengthening Riyadh's layered air-defence capabilities against evolving regional security challenges.