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Saudi Arabia has struck a deal to secure a tranche of air-to-air missiles from the United States.
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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has confirmed the sale of AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for an estimated US$650 million ($879 million).
As part of the deal, 280 AMRAAM units and 596 LAU-128 Missile Rail Launchers (MRL), developed by Raytheon Technologies, will be delivered to the Arab state.
US government officials and military contractors will also provide engineering, technical and logistical support service.
“This proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political and economic progress in the Middle East,” the DSCA stated.
“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its stocks of medium-range missiles for its fighter aircraft fleet for its national defence.”
The missiles will support Saudi Arabia’s Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15C/D, F-15S, and F-I5SA aircraft, tipped to strengthen interoperability with the US.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the DSCA added.
This is the latest arms deal with Saudi Arabia in recent months, with the US approving a US$500 million ($675.8 million) request for the continuation of its Maintenance Support Services (MSS) contract in September.
The contract involves the delivery of MRO services to the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command’s (RSLFAC) fleet of Boeing AH-64D/E Apaches; Sikorsky UH-60L, UH-60M, and UH-60M Black Hawks; Schweizer 333; and Bell 406CS Kiowa helicopters.
Support for the military’s future fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters also forms part of the deal.
