US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, WASHINGTON: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of mission equipment for AWACS aircraft as well as associated equipment and services.
The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $400 million.
The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of five sets of Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Command, Control and Communications (C3) mission equipment/Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) Group B kits for subsequent installation and checkout in five E-3 Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). In addition, this proposed sale will include spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, contractor engineering and technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $400 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will enhance training opportunities; increase the Royal Saudi Air Force’s (RSAF) AWACS operational capability, sustainability, and interoperability with the USAF, Gulf Cooperation Council, and other coalition air forces. Saudi Arabia needs this additional mission equipment to continue its development of an extended Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability, as well as enhanced command, control and communications (C3). Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing the upgraded AWACS radar capability into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be Boeing Aerospace Company in Seattle, Washington.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately four contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia to provide technical assistance to integrate the aircraft into the operational units. Also, this program will require U.S. government and contractor personnel to conduct annual, one-week Program Management Reviews in Saudi Arabia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.
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