The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of more than 130 Abrams battle tanks, 20 armored recovery vehicles and other equipment, worth about $1.15 billion, to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for M1A2S Saudi Abrams Main Battle Tanks and M88Al/A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARV), equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.15 billion,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.
The principal contractor will be Michigan-based General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS).
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter meets with Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman.
“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner which has been and continues to be a leading contributor of political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This sale will increase the Royal Saudi Land Force’s (RSLF) interoperability with U.S. forces and conveys U.S. commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and armed forces modernization. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the DSCA said.
The last sale requested by the DSCA and approved by the State Department was in February, when the agency approved $200 million in support services for Saudi Arabia. Just before that, the DSCA approved a possible sale of MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System Block 1B Baseline 2 Kits, equipment, training, and logistics support at an estimated cost of $154.9 million.
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Saudis requested air-to-ground munitions and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.29 billion in November 2015.
In June, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter hosted Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The two leaders and other defense officials from both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia met “for a series of constructive meetings and briefings,” the Pentagon said in a readout. “The Secretary thanked Deputy Crown Prince bin Salman for Saudi Arabia’s close partnership and reaffirmed their strong relationship.”
