State-of-the-art US missiles to arrive in Jordan soon?

The US is Jordan's leading military partner in border security. Photo: The US deploys Patriot air defense systems in Jordan in 2013. (Source: AFP)

Jordanian military spokesman Brigadier General Mustafa Hiyari stressed that Amman asked the US to help strengthen its defense system with Patriot air defense missiles amid escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip.

In addition, Mr. Hiyari denied information about the US using Jordanian bases to transport equipment and weapons to Israel to strengthen defense in the war in the Gaza Strip.

Jordan is one of the largest recipients of military aid from Washington, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Since the Syrian crisis in 2011, Washington has helped Amman set up a surveillance system to prevent infiltration by Syrian and Iraqi rebels.

In 2013, the US began deploying Patriot missiles in Jordan, in order to prevent the risk of the Syrian crisis spreading and sparking regional conflict.

Furthermore, Jordan has asked the White House for drone aid to carry out an anti-drug campaign that is raging along the border with Syria.