FMS: Saudi Arabia Seeks AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Targeting Pods

Released on Friday, December 07, 2007

WASHINGTON, December 7, 2007 � The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Targeting Pods as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $220 million. The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of 40 AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Advanced Targeting Pods, aircraft installation and checkout, digital data recorders/cartridges, pylons, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, contractor engineering and technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $220 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 proposed sale will improve the operational capability of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) by upgrading the long-range target detection and identification systems of the Saudi F-15s. The proposed sale will provide an upgraded capability of the RSAF's existing 1980's LANTIRN pod technology. This sale also will increase the RSAF AWACS sustainability and interoperability with the U.S. Air Force, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and other coalition air forces.

The proposed sale of a modern F-15 SNIPER targeting system will greatly improve the RSAF's capabilities against offensive air force capabilities. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this improved system capability into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Company in Dallas, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately four contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia to provide technical assistance to integrate the aircraft into the operational units. 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.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.