The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $101.1 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on 10 April 2024.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy fifty (50) Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) Block Upgrade 2 (BU2) Terminals and one hundred (100) additional MIDS-LVT BU2 Retrofit Kits that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold.
The original Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case, announced on 03 February 2022 and valued at $12.6 million, included thirty-five (35) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) and twenty-four (24) MIDS-LVT BU2 Retrofit Kits. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also requested a new FMS case that includes one hundred ninety-four (194) MIDS JTRS and thirteen (13) MIDS-LVT BU2 Terminals. This notification is for a combined total of two hundred twenty-nine (229) MIDS JTRS; sixty-three (63) MIDS-LVT BU2 Terminals; and one hundred twenty-four (124) MIDS-LVT BU2 Retrofit Kits.
Also included are TacNet Tactical Radios; Low Volume Terminal Cryptographic Modules; other communications equipment; support equipment; engineering and technical support and assistance; training; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region.
The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s surveillance capability to counter current and future regional threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and improve interoperability with systems operated by U.S. forces and other Gulf Region partners. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its Armed Forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor has not been determined as there will be a competitive contractual award process after case implementation. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
