The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Saudi Arabia for air-to-ground munitions and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.29 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 13, 2015.
The Government of Saudi Arabia requested approval to procure the following:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE) includes:
- One thousand (1000) GBU-10 Paveway II Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs)
- Two thousand, three hundred (2,300) BLU-117/MK-84 2000lb General Purpose (GP) Bombs
- Four thousand twenty (4,020) GBU-12 Paveway II LGBs
- Eight thousand twenty (8,020) BLU-111/MK-82 500lb GP Bombs
- One thousand, one hundred (1,100) GBU-24 Paveway III LGBs
- One thousand, five hundred (1,500) BLU-109 2000lb Penetrator Warheads
- Four hundred (400) GBU-31(V1) KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) tail kits
- One thousand (1,000) GBU-31(V3) KMU-557 JDAM tail kits
- Three thousand (3,000) GBU-38 KMU-572 JDAM tail kits
- Two thousand (2,000) GBU-48 Enhanced Paveway II, dual mode Global Positioning System (GPS)/LGB with the MXU-667 Airfoil and the MAU-169L/B Computer Control Group (CCG) Dual mode
- Two thousand (2,000) BLU-110/MK-83 1000lb GP Bombs
- Five hundred (500) GBU-54 KMU-572 Laser JDAM tail kits, dual mode GPS/LGB with the MXU-667 Airfoil and the MAU-169L/B CCG Dual mode
- Three hundred (300) GBU-56 KMU 556 Laser JDAM tail kits, dual mode GPS/LGB with the MXU-667 Airfoil and the MAU-169L/B CCG Dual mode
- Ten thousand two hundred (10,200) FMU-152 Fuzes
This request also includes the following Non-MDE items and services: procurement of bomb equipment components such as adaptors, nose plugs, fusing mechanisms, swivels, support links and connections; associated support equipment; publications, such as technical orders, and system manuals; training; engineering and technical support; transportation (to include special airlift support); program management; and other administrative support and related services.
The total estimated MDE value is $1.10 billion, and the estimated total overall value is $1.29 billion.
The purchase replenishes the Royal Saudi Air Force’s (RSAF) current weapons supplies, which are becoming depleted due to the high operational tempo in multiple counter-terrorism operations. The purchase of these munitions rebuilds war reserves and provides options for future contingencies.
The RSAF will have no issues fielding, supporting, and employing these munitions.
The proposed sale augments Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats from potential adversaries during combat operations. Providing these defense articles supports Saudi Arabian defense missions and promotes stability in the region.
This acquisition will help sustain strong military-to-military relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia, improve operational interoperability with the United States, and enable Saudi Arabia to meet regional threats and safeguard the world’s largest oil reserves.
This acquisition contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by increasing the security of an important partner that continues to be a significant force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. Sustaining Saudi military capabilities deters hostile actors, increases U.S.-Saudi military interoperability, and has a positive impact on the stability of the global economy. This acquisition also directly conveys U.S. commitment to the RSAF’s current and future ability to sustain combat operations.
The prime contractor will be determined by competition. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
There is 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 and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
