WASHINGTON, — The United States has approved two potential Foreign Military Sales to Saudi Arabia with a combined estimated value of $5.75 billion, covering Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) systems, general-purpose bombs and AGT-1500 tank engines.
The U.S. State Department notified Congress of the proposed sales on September 4. The notifications begin the congressional review process, meaning the approvals do not represent final contracts. The final agreements will depend on subsequent negotiations between the United States, Saudi Arabia and the contractors.
$5 Billion JDAM-ER Package
The larger package is valued at an estimated $5 billion and covers JDAM-ER systems, bombs and associated equipment.
Saudi Arabia has requested:
- 5,004 KMU-572 JDAM guidance kits
- 5,000 KMU-556 JDAM guidance kits
- 5,004 BLU-111 500-pound general-purpose bombs
- 5,000 BLU-117 2,000-pound general-purpose bombs
The package also includes FMU-139 fuze systems, DSU-38 and DSU-40 target detectors, containers, support equipment, spare parts, consumables, accessories and repair-and-return support. U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services are also included.
JDAM-ER is an extended-range version of the JDAM concept that uses an aerodynamic wing kit to increase the glide distance of a bomb after release. The extended-range system does not require an onboard propulsion system.
Boeing has been identified as the principal contractor for the JDAM-ER package.
$750 Million Abrams Tank Engine Package
The second proposed sale is valued at $750 million and covers 60 AGT-1500 gas turbine engines for Saudi Arabia's M1 Abrams tank fleet.
The package includes engine containers, spare parts, consumables, accessories, contractor logistics support, and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services.
Honeywell is the principal contractor, with work associated with Anniston Army Depot in Alabama.
The AGT-1500 is the gas turbine engine used in the M1 Abrams tank family.
Saudi Arabia has operated M1 Abrams tanks since acquiring an initial batch of 315 vehicles in 1989 and has continued to maintain and upgrade the fleet.
U.S. Stated Objectives
The State Department said the proposed sales support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of Saudi Arabia as a Major non-NATO Ally.
For the JDAM-ER package, the department said the equipment would strengthen Saudi Arabia's airborne defense capability, support homeland defense and improve interoperability with U.S. forces and other Gulf partners.
For the tank engines, the department said the proposed sale would support Saudi military readiness and operational requirements while improving interoperability for bilateral contingency plans.
The U.S. government also determined that Saudi Arabia would have no difficulty absorbing the equipment and services into its armed forces. The proposed sales are not expected to alter the military balance in the region or adversely affect U.S. defense readiness.
Sales Still Require Final Agreements
The $5.75 billion figure is an estimated value for the proposed Foreign Military Sales cases, rather than the value of completed contracts. The quantities, requirements and final cost can change during negotiations.
Congress will have a review period following the notifications. If the deals proceed through the FMS process, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. government will then complete the required agreements and contracting arrangements.
The two Saudi Arabian notifications were part of a broader group of proposed U.S. military sales to Middle Eastern countries announced on the same day. The combined value of the Saudi, Oman and Iraq notifications was reported at approximately $6.1 billion.
——— End of Article ———
