Very strong rumours in Riyadh at the moment concerning imminent deals on Le Clerc MBTs for the Royal Saudi Land Forces; Airbus A-330 MRTT Tanker/Transports, Airbus A-400Ms for the Air Force with Scorpene SSKs and FREMM Frigates for the Royal Saudi Navy.
http://www.tradearabia.com/tanews/newsdetails_snDEF_article108559_cnt.html
Janes Defence Weekly also reporting the same, as well as further acquisitions for SANG (Saudi Arabian National Guard) from both France and US.
JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - JULY 26, 2006
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London and Paris
The Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) looks set to significantly augment its capabilities following the announcement of a major potential US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement and an unconfirmed acquisition of the CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARtillerie (CAESAR) 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled (SP) artillery system from France.
France's Giat Industries on 20 July announced the sale of 76 of its CAESAR truck-mounted artillery systems to an unspecified foreign customer, widely believed in French defence circles to be the SANG.
Giat announced the sale during a visit to Paris by Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdal Aziz al Saud.
As Jane's went to press on 21 July, Prince Sultan met with French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie amid increasing expectation that Riyadh could award a number of major arms contracts to Paris. However, as Jane's went to press no announcement had been made and diplomatic sources suggested that Prince Sultan might confine himself during his Paris stay to merely stating that Riyadh was intent on heightening military co-operation with France, leaving the actual arms deals to be made public at a later date. Prince Sultan said after a meeting with President Jacques Chirac on 20 July that "economic co-operation" with France "is an ongoing process".
It was noted in Paris that the SANG, the presumed buyer of the CAESAR systems, answers directly to Saudi King Abdallah and not to Prince Sultan. Jane's reported earlier in 2006 that the SANG had a requirement for a new lightweight towed or SP system and was assessing two contenders, including BAE Systems Land Systems' 155mm/39 cal M777.
Recent French media reports said Saudi Arabia, in addition to buying CAESAR, was likely to place an order for 20 Cougar search and rescue and 10 NH90 military transport helicopters built by Eurocopter during Sultan's trip. Also likely was the sale of 30 of Eurocopter's Fennec helicopters for a Saudi pilot training school at Taef.
Riyadh was also thought to be interested in acquiring three Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, taking an option on a further three. Elsewhere, DCN hopes to land a Saudi contract for its FREMM multi-mission frigates and for either its Scorpene or Marlin submarine.
*Separately, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) on 20 July announced a potential FMS contract, in line with Washington's efforts to support the modernisation of the SANG, which if all options were exercised has a potential value of some USD5.8 billion. The bulk of the Saudi request comprises the acquisition of some 724 General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada (GDLS-C) 8 x 8 light armoured vehicles (LAVs) and vehicle-mounted Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINGARS).
The SANG has already taken delivery of 1,117 LAV (light armoured vehicle)-IIs from the now GDLS-C, which included an acquisition of 73 120 mm turreted, armoured mortar systems. Fire support for these LAVs is provided by some 30 US-supplied 155 mm M198 and 40 105 mm M102 towed artillery systems.
According to the DSCA "the SANG will serve to make a key regional ally and partner in the global war on terror more capable of defeating those who would threaten regional stability and less reliant on the deployment of US combat forces to maintain or restore stability in the Middle East".
In addition, Saudi Arabia has also requested a potential USD350 million FMS acquisition of 24 UH-60L Black Hawk utility/assault helicopters and an accompanying logistics package in support of the Royal Saudi Land Forces' (RSLFs) ongoing domestic anti-terror operations. The RSLF already operate 12 S-70A-1 Desert Hawks in a similar role."Saudi forces have used rotary wing assets in numerous anti-terrorism operations within their borders and view their ability to quickly move troops around the country as a critical capability," the DSCA said.
SANG seeks new artillery (jdw.janes.com, 13/01/06)
FMS notification for SANG includes:
* 724 LAV-25, LAV-AG, LAV-M, LAV-AT, LAV-CC, LAV-PC, LAV-A, LAV-AC LAV-E and LAV-R light armoured vehicles;
* 1,160 AN/VRC-90E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) Vehicular Single Long-Range Radio Systems; * 627 AN/VRC-92E SINCGARS Vehicular Single Long-Range Radio Systems;
* 518 AN/VRC-119 E SINCGARS Vehicular Single Long-Range Radio Systems; * 2,198 SINCGARS Spearhead Handheld; * 1,700 AN/AVS-7D Night Vision Goggles (NVGs); * 432 AN/PVS-14 NVGs; * 630 AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapon Sights; * 162 84mm Recoilless Rifles; and * Harris Corporation Commercial High Frequency Radios;
* various commercial vehicles; fixed facilities and ranges; simulators; generators; battery chargers; protective clothing; shop equipment; training devices; spare and repair parts; sets, kits, and outfits; support equipment; publications and technical data; personnel training and training equipment; contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support.
Jane's Defence Weekly July 21st 2006
http://www.tradearabia.com/tanews/newsdetails_snDEF_article108559_cnt.html
Janes Defence Weekly also reporting the same, as well as further acquisitions for SANG (Saudi Arabian National Guard) from both France and US.
JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - JULY 26, 2006
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SANG to expand its capabilities
ROBIN HUGHES JDW Deputy Editor and J A C LEWIS JDW CorrespondentLondon and Paris
The SANG is set to receive additional light armoured vehicles
- SANG is also presumed the buyer of an unconfirmed contract for a number of CAESAR SP artillery systems
The Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) looks set to significantly augment its capabilities following the announcement of a major potential US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement and an unconfirmed acquisition of the CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARtillerie (CAESAR) 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled (SP) artillery system from France.
France's Giat Industries on 20 July announced the sale of 76 of its CAESAR truck-mounted artillery systems to an unspecified foreign customer, widely believed in French defence circles to be the SANG.
Giat announced the sale during a visit to Paris by Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdal Aziz al Saud.
As Jane's went to press on 21 July, Prince Sultan met with French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie amid increasing expectation that Riyadh could award a number of major arms contracts to Paris. However, as Jane's went to press no announcement had been made and diplomatic sources suggested that Prince Sultan might confine himself during his Paris stay to merely stating that Riyadh was intent on heightening military co-operation with France, leaving the actual arms deals to be made public at a later date. Prince Sultan said after a meeting with President Jacques Chirac on 20 July that "economic co-operation" with France "is an ongoing process".
It was noted in Paris that the SANG, the presumed buyer of the CAESAR systems, answers directly to Saudi King Abdallah and not to Prince Sultan. Jane's reported earlier in 2006 that the SANG had a requirement for a new lightweight towed or SP system and was assessing two contenders, including BAE Systems Land Systems' 155mm/39 cal M777.
Recent French media reports said Saudi Arabia, in addition to buying CAESAR, was likely to place an order for 20 Cougar search and rescue and 10 NH90 military transport helicopters built by Eurocopter during Sultan's trip. Also likely was the sale of 30 of Eurocopter's Fennec helicopters for a Saudi pilot training school at Taef.
Riyadh was also thought to be interested in acquiring three Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, taking an option on a further three. Elsewhere, DCN hopes to land a Saudi contract for its FREMM multi-mission frigates and for either its Scorpene or Marlin submarine.
*Separately, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) on 20 July announced a potential FMS contract, in line with Washington's efforts to support the modernisation of the SANG, which if all options were exercised has a potential value of some USD5.8 billion. The bulk of the Saudi request comprises the acquisition of some 724 General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada (GDLS-C) 8 x 8 light armoured vehicles (LAVs) and vehicle-mounted Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINGARS).
The SANG has already taken delivery of 1,117 LAV (light armoured vehicle)-IIs from the now GDLS-C, which included an acquisition of 73 120 mm turreted, armoured mortar systems. Fire support for these LAVs is provided by some 30 US-supplied 155 mm M198 and 40 105 mm M102 towed artillery systems.
According to the DSCA "the SANG will serve to make a key regional ally and partner in the global war on terror more capable of defeating those who would threaten regional stability and less reliant on the deployment of US combat forces to maintain or restore stability in the Middle East".
In addition, Saudi Arabia has also requested a potential USD350 million FMS acquisition of 24 UH-60L Black Hawk utility/assault helicopters and an accompanying logistics package in support of the Royal Saudi Land Forces' (RSLFs) ongoing domestic anti-terror operations. The RSLF already operate 12 S-70A-1 Desert Hawks in a similar role."Saudi forces have used rotary wing assets in numerous anti-terrorism operations within their borders and view their ability to quickly move troops around the country as a critical capability," the DSCA said.
SANG seeks new artillery (jdw.janes.com, 13/01/06)
FMS notification for SANG includes:
* 724 LAV-25, LAV-AG, LAV-M, LAV-AT, LAV-CC, LAV-PC, LAV-A, LAV-AC LAV-E and LAV-R light armoured vehicles;
* 1,160 AN/VRC-90E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) Vehicular Single Long-Range Radio Systems; * 627 AN/VRC-92E SINCGARS Vehicular Single Long-Range Radio Systems;
* 518 AN/VRC-119 E SINCGARS Vehicular Single Long-Range Radio Systems; * 2,198 SINCGARS Spearhead Handheld; * 1,700 AN/AVS-7D Night Vision Goggles (NVGs); * 432 AN/PVS-14 NVGs; * 630 AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapon Sights; * 162 84mm Recoilless Rifles; and * Harris Corporation Commercial High Frequency Radios;
* various commercial vehicles; fixed facilities and ranges; simulators; generators; battery chargers; protective clothing; shop equipment; training devices; spare and repair parts; sets, kits, and outfits; support equipment; publications and technical data; personnel training and training equipment; contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support.
Jane's Defence Weekly July 21st 2006
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