Monday, September 29, 2008

Saudi Arabia - AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles

Saudi Arabia - AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - September 30, 2008: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $164 million. The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of 250 All-Up-Round AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missiles, 84 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 12 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Dummy Air Training Missiles (DATMs), missile containers, missile modifications, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $164 million. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The sale of the AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missile system will significantly enhance the Royal Saudi Arabia Air Force's current air-to-air intercept capability. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company of Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require temporary travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to conduct an initial and/or follow-up Enhanced End-Use-Monitoring (EEUM) Site Survey and in-country training. Also, this program will require U.S government and contractor personnel to conduct annual, one week Program Management Reviews in Saudi Arabia. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

No comments: