The United States has cleared a potential $101.1 million sale of multifunctional information distribution systems to Saudi Arabia.
The Department of State approved Wednesday Riyadh’s latest request to purchase 50 MIDS-low volume terminal Block Upgrade 2 terminals and 100 MIDS-LVT BU2 retrofit kits.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the new order will be added to an original Foreign Military Sales case for a combined total of 229 MIDS joint tactical radio systems, 63 MIDS-LVT BU2 terminals and 124 MIDS-LVT BU2 retrofit kits.
The kingdom’s shopping list also includes TacNet tactical radios, low-volume terminal cryptographic modules, communications and support equipment, engineering and technical support, and related elements of logistics and program support.
The U.S. government will identify the principal contractor for the government-to-government deal after a competitive contractual award process.
The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s surveillance capability, enabling it to counter existing and emerging threats in the Persian Gulf, DSCA said.
The United States regards Riyadh as an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The kingdom’s strong homeland defense capabilities and its enhanced interoperability with allied forces in the region support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives, the agency noted.
The State Department’s green light on the possible FMS deal follows its decision in December 2023 to approve the $1 billion sale of blanket order training to the Royal Saudi Air Force and the kingdom’s other security forces.
