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Royal Saudi Land Forces Helicopters

On July 20, 2006 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of UH-60L Utility/Assault Black Hawk helicopters as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $350 million. The Government of Saudi Arabia requested a possible sale of 24 UH-60L Utility/Assault Black Hawk helicopters, spare and repair parts, communications and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support. The Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) have a long-term plan to use these additional Black Hawk helicopters to modernize and increase their rotary wing fleet. Saudi forces have used rotary wing assets in numerous anti-terrorism operations within their borders and view their ability to quickly move troops around the country as a critical capability. The helicopters allow Saudi Arabia to exercise a more flexible and maintainable operation for the protection of critical infrastructure. The additional aircraft would primarily be used to move troops and light equipment over long distances within their kingdom for external defense and internal requirements, as needed.

On October 20, 2010 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Saudi Arabia of: 10 AH-64D Block III APACHE Longbow Helicopters; 28 T700-GE-701D Engines; 13 Modernized Targeting Acquisition and Designation Systems/Pilot Night Vision Sensors; 7 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars with Radar Electronics Unit (Longbow Component); 7 AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometer; 13 AN/APR-39 Radar Signal Detecting Sets; 13 AN/AVR-2B Laser Warning Sets; 13 AAR-57(V)3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems; 26 Improved Countermeasures Dispensers; 26 Improved Helmet Display Sight Systems; 14 30mm Automatic Weapons; 6 Aircraft Ground Power Units; 14 AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles; 640 AGM-114R HELLFIRE II Missiles; 2,000 2.75 in 70mm Laser Guided Rockets; 307 AN/PRQ-7 Combat Survivor Evader Locators; 1 BS-1 Enhanced Terminal Voice Switch; 1 Fixed-Base Precision Approach Radar; 1 Digital Airport Surveillance Radar; 1 DoD Advanced Automation Service; and 1 Digital Voice Recording System.

Also included are trainers, simulators, generators, training munitions, design and construction, transportation, tools and test equipment, ground and air based SATCOM and line of sight communication equipment, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, GPS/INS, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $2.223 billion.

The Saudi Arabian Royal Guard will use the AH-64D to improve its ability to effectively protect its borders, and vital installations. This sale also will increase the Royal Guard’s APACHE sustainability and interoperability with the U.S. Army, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and other coalition forces. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for CH-47F Chinook Cargo Helicopters and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $3.51 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on December 7, 2016. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

• Forty-eight (48) CH-47F Chinook Cargo Helicopters
• One hundred twelve (112) T55-GA-714A Engines (ninety-six (96) installed, sixteen (16) spares)
• One hundred sixteen (116) Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation
• Systems (EGI) (ninety-six (96) installed, twenty (20) spares)
• Fifty-eight (58) AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (forty-eight (48) installed, ten (10) spares)
• Forty-eight (48) M240H 7.62mm Machine Guns with spare parts

This request also includes the following Non-MDE: M134D Mini-Guns or equivalent type guns with support equipment and training; Aircraft Survivability Equipment (AN/APR- 39A(V) l/4, AN/AVR-2B, AN/ARC-231, AN/ARC-201D, AN/APX-123A, ARN-147 VOR/ILS, ARN-153 TACAN, APN-209, IDM-401 Improved Data Modem, and AN/ARC-220); Infrared Signature Suppression System (IRSS); Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES); Extended Range Fuel System (ERPS); Ballistic Armor Protection System; facilities; air worthiness support; spares and repair parts; communications equipment; personnel training and training equipment; site surveys; tool and test equipment; Ground Support Equipment (GSE); repair and return; publications and technical documentation; Quality Assurance Team (QAT); U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total overall estimated value is $3.51 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner which has been and continues to be a leading contributor of political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This sale will increase the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command's (RSLFAC) interoperability with U.S. forces and advance the development of a heavy lift helicopter capability for Saudi Arabia.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The proposed sale of the CH-47F aircraft will improve Saudi Arabia's heavy lift capability. Saudi Arabia will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.

The prime contractors will be The Boeing Military Aircraft Company, Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and Honeywell Aerospace Company, Phoenix, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this sale will require up to sixty (60) U.S. Government and contractor representatives to travel to Saudi Arabia for up to sixty (60) months for equipment de-processing, fielding, system checkout, training, and technical logistics support.

The initial AH-64A Apache, first fielded in 1984, ran back through the remanufacture line to become AH-64D Longbow aircraft. The US Army ran the fleet through thd process once again, adding a new fuselage to the process. The E model aircraft would have an extended life expectancy, have added capability, and will be the pure fleet objective of the Army. The E model has two planned technology insertions built into the program.

The AH-64E Apache New Build (AH-64E New Build) is the heavy attack helicopter of the current and future force. The AH-64E meets all the requirements for Army and Joint interoperability goals for the future and will add significant combat capability while addressing obsolescence issues, ensuring the aircraft remains a viable combat multiplier beyond 2050. The AH-64E is designed and equipped with an open systems architecture to incorporate the latest communications, navigation, sensor, and weapon systems.

Foreign Military Sales to Saudi Arabia on 9/15/2015 include one batch of 12 for $408.3 million and a second batch of 12 of $496.8 million - one batch for the army, another for the Guard.