The Trump Administration’s State Department has approved a possible the sale of nearly $300 million in GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) Munitions and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, the latest large U.S.-Saudi security deal to be approved in recent years.
The principal contractor will be U.S.-based Boeing, St. Louis, MO.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), within the U.S. Department of Defense, notified Congress that the State Department approved the sale of the weapons for an estimated cost of $290 million. Congress has 30 days to review the sale.
President Trump in Saudi Arabia.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy three thousand (3,000) GBU-39 SDB I munitions. Also included are containers; weapon support and support equipment; spare and repair parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost will be $290 million,” the DSCA said.
The GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb is a 250 lb precision-guided glide bomb that is intended to provide aircraft with the ability to carry a higher number of more accurate bombs.
“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 DSCA said in a press release. “The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its stocks of long-range, precision air-to-ground munitions. The size and accuracy of the SDB I allows for an effective munition with less collateral damage. The potential sale will further strengthen the interoperability between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
Outgoing President Donald Trump has sought to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policies, and last year he deployed additional troops and military equipment to the country amid an increase in attacks the United States blamed on Iran that targeted the kingdom.
President Barack Obama’s administration offered Saudi Arabia more than $115 billion in weapons, other military equipment and training, the most of any U.S. administration.
