US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, On 27 September 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of upgrade kits and services for 54 C-130E/H aircraft as well as associated equipment and services.
The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $800 million.
The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of upgrade kits and services for 54 C-130E/H aircraft. The Avionics Modernization Program upgrade includes navigation and communications equipment, LCD displays with a heads-up display, software development/integration, associated support equipment, modification kits, spare and repair parts, test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $800 million.
This 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.
Saudi Arabia desires the ability to operate in civil airspace in compliance with current requirements. The C-130E/H system requires upgrades to radar, navigation and communication systems, as well as the man-machine interface. The aircraft will be used in the normal, day-to-day operations of the existing C-130 fleet within the Air Traffic Control environment. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing the upgraded aircraft into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
For planning purposes, the prime contractor will be the Boeing Company of Long Beach, California. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of up to 18 U.S. Government and contractor representatives for one-week intervals twice annually to participate in training, program management and technical review. The number of U.S. Government personnel and contractor representatives required in-country to support the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program will be determined in joint negotiations as the program proceeds through the assessment and installation phases.
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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