The Royal Saudi Navy is seeking to purchase 10 Sikorsky MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters as part of its naval expansion program, the first military purchase since the U.S.-GCC summit last week in Washington, Defense News reports.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.9 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today,” the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia’s 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, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East…The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter will provide the capability to identify, engage, and defeat maritime security threats along with the ability to perform secondary missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay. Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.”
[Click here to read the full release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency]
