The Saudi request includes 5,004 KMU-572 tail guidance kits and an equal number of 500-pound BLU-111 general-purpose bombs. It also covers 5,000 KMU-556 kits and 5,000 2,000-pound BLU-117 bombs.
The first configuration would produce GBU-38(V)2/B JDAM-ER weapons, while the heavier combination would create GBU-31(V)2/B variants. The extended-range weapons use GPS and inertial navigation to strike ground targets at a reported distance of up to 64 to 80 kilometres from the aircraft’s release point.
The proposed sale also includes FMU-139 programmable fuzes and DSU-38 and DSU-40 target detectors. Containers, support equipment, spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair services and government and contractor technical and logistics support are also included.
The State Department said the sale would support U.S. foreign-policy and national-security objectives by strengthening Saudi Arabia, which Washington designates as a major non-NATO ally. It said the weapons would improve the kingdom’s airborne defence and homeland-defence capabilities against current and future regional threats.
The package is also intended to improve interoperability with systems operated by U.S. forces and other Gulf partners. The department said Saudi Arabia could absorb the equipment and services into its armed forces without difficulty and that the transaction would not alter the regional military balance.
Boeing’s contracting work would be managed from Arlington, Virginia, according to the notice. No offset agreement is currently known, and implementing the proposed sale would not require additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to be assigned to Saudi Arabia.
The State Department decision authorises a possible transaction rather than confirming that a final contract has been signed. Any offset agreement would be negotiated separately between Saudi Arabia and Boeing.
