US approves APKWS II for Israel and Middle East allies to counter UASs

A seven-shot APKWS laser-guided rocket launcher seen during UK trials aboard the Eurofighter Typhoon. In May 2026 the US approved the sale of the weapon to Israel and Middle East allies in the C-UAS role. (BAE Systems)

The US has approved the sale of the BAE Systems Inc. AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) to Israel and other Middle East allies for a combined USD2.13 billion.

The US Department of State approved the sale of the 70 mm laser-guided rocket kits to Israel (10,000 guidance kits for USD992.4 million), Qatar (10,000 guidance kits for USD992.4 million), and the United Arab Emirates (1,500 guidance kits for USD147.6 million) on 1 May 2026.

While the approval for Israel did not specify the intended role for the APKWS II, those for Qatar and the UAE both specified the singular air-to-air role for counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) applications.

For this C-UAS role, the APKWS II will be carried by Qatar's Boeing F-15QA Ababil combat aircraft in the first instance and perhaps by its Eurofighter Typhoons. The UK is now trialling the system for its aircraft. France is trialling a different laser-guided rocket system for the Dassault Rafale, with Rafales also operated by Qatar.

For the UAE, it will be carried by the Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcon combat aircraft. Israel has not disclosed which of its aircraft types carry the APKWS II, but it is likely the Boeing AH-64 attack helicopter in the air-to-surface and C-UAS roles. Israel might also use the system on its F-16I Sufa and F-15 variants in the C-UAS role.

For more, please see:US approves APKWS II sale to Saudi Arabia