WASHINGTON

The US State Department approved the possible sale of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said Friday.

The estimated cost is $9.0 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

"The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced air defense missiles as part of an upgraded integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) system, thereby enhancing its air defense capability," it said in a statement.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed-Martin Corporation in the state of Texas.