Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Night Vision Equipment

Media/Public Contact
Charles Taylor (703) 601-3859 / Paul Ebner (703) 601-3670
Transmittal No
10-75

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2011 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale Order to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for various night and thermal vision equipment, including parts and logistical support with an estimated cost of $330 million.

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of 200 High-performance In-Line Sniper Sight (HISS) Thermal Weapon Sights - 1500 meter, 200 MilCAM Recon III LocatIR Long Range, Light Weight Thermal Binoculars with Geo Location, 7,000 Dual Beam Aiming Lasers (DBAL A2), 6000 AN/PVS-21 Low Profile Night Vision Goggles (LPNVG), spare and repair parts, support equipment, technical documentation and publications, translation services, training, U. S. government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $330 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 Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats from potential adversaries during operations conducted at night and during low visibility conditions. The Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) are responsible for regional, perimeter, and border security operations. This proposed sale meets their defense and counter-terrorism requirements to deter current insurgent activity along their southern border and contributes to their overall military posture. The RSLF already has night vision devices in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing this night vision equipment into its inventory.

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

The prime contractors will be FLIR Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts and Laser Devices, Inc. in Monterey, California. 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 recipient.

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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