A potential sale of torpedoes to Saudi Arabia is the latest evidence of the unmatched reputation of US military equipment for reliability and quality.

The US State Department on January 3 approved the potential sale to Saudi Arabia of 20 Mk 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes.

The deal also includes spare parts, MK 54 Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes and other support.

This proposed sale "will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region," according to the announcement.

It will also upgrade Saudi Arabia's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, it added.

The Mk 54 is the primary surface ship- and aircraft-launched anti-submarine weapon employed by the US Navy.

Measuring 324mm (12.75 inches) in diameter and 2.71 meters (106.9 inches) in length, the torpedo weighs 275kg (607 lbs) and contains a 45kg (100 lb) high explosive warhead.

The Mk 54 is designed to navigate through shallow waters seamlessly by incorporating state-of-the-art digital signal-processing technology that enhances guidance and control.

Its high-speed digital signal processors and advanced sensor fusion techniques are central to its navigation and the ability to cut through acoustic decoys employed by underwater targets.

This capability is critical, particularly against quieter nuclear-powered submarines.

Decades of cooperation

The United States and Saudi Arabia have a 80-year tradition of military cooperation.

What started with a World War II airfield constructed in Saudi Arabia in 1945 has blossomed into an enduring partnership that emphasizes the United States’ dedication to ensuring a peaceful, prosperous and stable future for the Middle East.

The two nations regularly take part in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises, including major drills such as Red Flag, Eagle Resolve and Red Sands.

The United States has remained a committed security partner, helping Saudi Arabia foil numerous terrorist attacks and collaborating on key international security efforts, including against the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS).

The kingdom buys almost 80% of its arms from the United States, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Additionally, more than 2,000 US military personnel are deployed in Saudi Arabia to implement defense and security cooperation programs and to counter and deter Iranian threats, according to a Congressional Research Service report published last March.