The United States has approved a possible $5 billion Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia covering more than 10,000 JDAM guidance kits, more than 10,000 general-purpose bombs and associated equipment, the US Department of State has announced.
The proposed sale, notified to Congress under Transmittal 26-35, covers Joint Direct Attack Munition – Extended Range equipment for the Royal Saudi Armed Forces and remains a potential Foreign Military Sale rather than a completed procurement contract.
Saudi Arabia has requested 5,004 KMU-572 JDAM guidance kits and 5,000 KMU-556 guidance kits. The package also includes 5,004 BLU-111 500lb general-purpose bombs and 5,000 BLU-117 2,000lb general-purpose bombs.
Together, the requested quantities amount to 10,004 JDAM guidance kits and 10,004 bomb bodies. JDAM kits are used to turn compatible general-purpose bombs into precision-guided weapons by adding a guidance and control system. The wider package would include FMU-139 fuze systems, DSU-38 and DSU-40 target detectors, containers and support equipment, spare parts, consumables and accessories, repair and return support, and US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics services.
The State Department said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals 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.”
Washington said the package is intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to respond to regional threats and operate alongside American and other Gulf forces.
The department stated: “The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s airborne defense 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 articles and services into its armed forces.”
It added: “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military balance in the region.”
Boeing, based in Arlington, Virginia, has been identified as the principal contractor. The US Government said it was not currently aware of an offset agreement connected with the proposed sale, with any such arrangements to be negotiated separately between Saudi Arabia and the contractor. The deal would not require additional US Government or contractor representatives to be permanently assigned to Saudi Arabia for implementation, according to the notification. The State Department also said: “There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness because of this proposed sale.”
The approval represents the US Government’s authorisation for the proposed Foreign Military Sale to proceed through the congressional notification process. The final value and quantities could change if Saudi Arabia ultimately concludes an agreement for the equipment.
