The U.S. State Department has approved a potential agreement covering up to $500 million in military support services for Saudi Arabia, the first since President Biden took office on January 20.
The agreement has been sent to Congress for review, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy the continuation of the Maintenance Support Services (MSS) contract that supports the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command’s (RSLFAC) fleet of AH-64D/E, UH-60L, UH-60M, Schweizer 333, and Bell 406CS helicopters, as well as the future fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said. The DSCA is the agency responsible for foreign military sales.
The MSS contract services include management and installation of engineering change proposals and modification work orders; Repair and Return (R&R) management services and component repairs; aircraft simulator logistics, maintenance and technical support; training; maintenance management support for the RSLFAC headquarters staff; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total value is $500 million.”
The announcement said the vendor was not yet known, Reuters reports.
“This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East,” the State Department said in a statement. “The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by the continuation of MSS services that will aid in the maintenance support of Saudi Arabia’s rotary wing aircraft fleet, engines, avionics, weapons, and missile components. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the DSCA said.
