The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems and related equipment. The estimated total cost is $1.96 billion.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy up to ten thousand (10,000) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS-II) air-to-air guidance sections; and up to ten thousand (10,000) APKWS-II air-to-ground guidance sections. The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: LAU-131 A/A launchers; Mk-152 high explosive warheads; MK66 rocket motors; proximity fuzes; WTU-1/B practice warheads; inert MK66 rocket motors; test support equipment; launch and employment equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; personnel training, training equipment, and support equipment; other support equipment; transportation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region, the U.S. Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said in a statement.
The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense, and improving interoperability with U.S. forces, and other regional and NATO forces. The proposed sale will also augment Saudi Arabia’s operational aircraft and enhance its air-to-air, and air-to-ground self-defense capability. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services 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 will be BAE Systems, located in Nashua, New Hampshire. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of fifteen (15) additional U.S. Government and fifteen (15) U.S. contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia for an extended period to support program and technical reviews plus training and maintenance support in-country.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Political-Military Affairs; Archive Photo: F-16 Aircraft fires APKWS laser-guidance kit equipped rocket © BAE Systems
