Saudi Arabia has also requested 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, including 48 installed units and one spare, the State Department said. The package would cover spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair-and-return services, and support equipment for the aircraft and their munitions.
According to the State Department, the proposed sale would include secure communications, precision navigation and cryptographic equipment. The package would provide AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders, KIV-78 cryptographic appliques, electronic warfare database support, and classified and unclassified software.
The department said the wider package would include personnel training, simulators, training aids and support through the engine component improvement program. It would also cover aircraft modifications, maintenance services, technical documentation, transportation, ferry operations and refueling support.
The State Department said the proposed transaction would support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally. According to the department, Saudi Arabia is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region.
The proposed acquisition would strengthen Saudi homeland defense and its ability to deter current and future threats, the department said. It would also improve interoperability with U.S., regional and NATO forces while enhancing Saudi Arabia’s air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capabilities.
According to the State Department, Saudi Arabia would have no difficulty absorbing the aircraft, equipment and services into its armed forces. The department said the proposed sale would not alter the military balance in the region.
The State Department identified Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines in East Hartford, Connecticut, as the principal contractors. It said the U.S. government was not aware of any proposed offset agreement and that implementing the sale would not require additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to be assigned to Saudi Arabia.
