The United States has approved a proposed $250 million sale of blanket order training to Saudi Arabia.
Under the potential foreign military sale cleared by the Department of State, the kingdom seeks to procure the required services for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The deal, which will be added to an earlier case, also involves the delivery of technical and professional development training, ship repair facility maintainer and language proficiency courses, professional military education, and related elements of logistics and program support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
According to the agency, the government-to-government agreement will improve Saudi Arabia’s security and advance U.S. foreign policy goals and national security objectives in the Gulf area. This includes enhancing the Saudi government’s ability to address existing and emerging threats and enabling the U.S. Navy to enforce freedom of navigation in the region.
The U.S. government expects Saudi Arabia to readily integrate the services into its armed forces.
DCSA said the principal contractors to support the agreement will be identified following the completion of the contract competition and award.
The approved possible FMS deal follows recent remarks from the State Department acknowledging Saudi Arabia as a strong partner in the Middle East for security and counterterrorism efforts and in military, diplomatic and financial cooperation.
