Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Howitzers, Radars, Ammunition, and Related Support

Media/Public Contact
Charles Taylor (703) 601-3859 / Paul Ebner (703) 601-3670
Transmittal No
10-74

WASHINGTON, September 19, 2011 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Thursday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of Howitzers, radars, ammunition and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $886 million.

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale for 36 M777A2 Howitzers, 54 M119A2 Howitzers, 6 AN/TPQ-36(V) Fire Finder Radar Systems, 24 Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (AFATDS), 17,136 rounds M107 155mm High Explosive (HE) ammunition, 2,304 rounds M549 155mm Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAPs), 60 M1165A1 High Mobility Multipurpose Vehicles (HMMWVs), 120 M1151A1 HMMWVs, 252 M1152A1 HMMWVs, Export Single Channel Ground And Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), electronic support systems, 105mm ammunition, various wheeled/tracked support vehicles, spare and repair parts, technical manuals and publications, translation services, training, USG and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $886 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will augment the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s existing light artillery capabilities. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which already has 155mm and 105mm howitzers and support vehicles and equipment in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these additional howitzers into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this service will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be AM General, LLC in South Bend, IN, BAE Systems in the United Kingdom & Hattiesburg, MS, ITT Defense and Information Solutions in McLean, VA, Thales Raytheon Systems in Fullerton CA, Smith Detection in Edgewood, MD, SRCTec, in Syracuse, NY, Northrop Grumman Corporation in Apopka, FL, and General Dynamics C4 Systems in Taunton, MA. 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.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

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