The sale of four Lockheed Martin warships to Saudi Arabia has been approved by the US State Department, according to the agency’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The US Congress has also been notified of the approved sale by the DSCA, which supervises foreign military sales, on 19 October.

Valued at $11.25bn, the contract includes the sale of the four multi-mission surface combatant (MMSC) ships and associated equipment as well as parts and logistical support.

The warships and the associated equipment are valued at $4.3bn.

The rest is accounted for by the study, design and construction of operations, support and training facilities, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, communications equipment, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, among others.

“The proposed sale will provide Saudi Arabia with an increased ability to meet current and future maritime threats from enemy weapon systems,” read a company statement.

This development is in line with the kingdom’s recent defence and security capacity building.

It follows the announcement made last week by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls that the purchase of 30 patrol boat units is a key component of some $11bn worth of trade deals that were signed during his visit in Saudi Arabia.

Thw kingdom is also said to be keen on acquiring two French warships that were designed for the Russian market.

In July, the DSCA has also approved the sale of $500m worth of ammunition to the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF).