US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, WASHINGTON: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of UH-60L Utility/Assault Black Hawk helicopters as well as associated equipment and services.
The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $350 million.
The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of 24 UH-60L Utility/Assault Black Hawk helicopters, spare and repair parts, communications and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $350 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 that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) have a long-term plan to use these additional Black Hawk helicopters to modernize and increase their rotary wing fleet. Saudi forces have used rotary wing assets in numerous anti-terrorism operations within their borders and view their ability to quickly move troops around the country as a critical capability. The helicopters will allow Saudi Arabia to exercise a more flexible and maintainable operation for the protection of critical infrastructure. The additional aircraft will primarily be used to move troops and light equipment over long distances within their kingdom for external defense and internal requirements, as needed.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be: Sikorsky Aircraft (United Technologies) Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut and General Electric of Fairfield, Connecticut. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of one Contract Field Support Representative to Saudi Arabia for up to two years, and will require the assignment of several U.S. Government Quality Assurance Teams to Saudi Arabia when the aircraft arrive in country.
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; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.
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