US Greenlights Potential Sale of Surveillance Technology to Saudi Arabia
The State Department has reached a conclusion permitting a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the RE-3A Tactical Airborne Surveillance System Aircraft Modernization and associated equipment, with an estimated expenditure of $582 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has provided the necessary certification, informing Congress of this prospective sale today.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed a desire to acquire aircraft hardware and software upgrades along with support aimed at refurbishing and modernizing its RE-3A Tactical Airborne Surveillance System (TASS) aircraft. This includes: seven (7) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) (EGI) security devices, Airborne, equipped with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code capability, and five (5) L3Harris BlackRock Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites. Also incorporated are KY-100M narrowband/wideband secure communications terminals; KIV-77 MODE 4/5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) cryptographic appliques; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; integrated electronic intelligence (ELINT)/signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems; L-3 Communication Systems-West (CSW) multiband receivers/transmitters; ARC-210 radios; high frequency (HF) radios; secure communications apparatus; precision navigation and cryptographic instruments; aircraft maintenance and support apparatus; testing and integration assistance; spare and repair components; consumables and peripherals; repair and return support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics assistance services; studies and assessments; and other pertinent logistics and program support elements. The projected total cost stands at $582 million.
This proposed transaction will align with the foreign policy objectives and national security interests of the United States by enhancing Saudi Arabia’s surveillance capabilities to address current and future regional threats, bolster its homeland defense, and improve interoperability with systems utilized by U.S. forces and other Gulf Region allies. Saudi Arabia will seamlessly integrate these systems into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and assistance will not change the fundamental military equilibrium in the region.
The primary contractor will be L3 Technologies, situated in Greenville, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed regarding this potential sale.
The execution of this proposed sale will not necessitate the deployment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor personnel to Saudi Arabia.
The specifications and monetary value provided pertain to the highest projected quantity and estimated cost derived from initial requirements. The actual financial value may be lower based on final requirements, budget authority, and executed sales agreements, if and when finalized.
