Armée Saoudienne / Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia

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Citation :

WASHINGTON, November 28, 2012 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress November 26 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for technical services to recertify the functional shelf life of up to 300 PATRIOT Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) (MIM-104D) Guidance Enhanced Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training nd logistical support for an estimated cost of $130 million.
The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of technical services to recertify the functional shelf life of up to 300 PATRIOT Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) (MIM-104D) Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM), modernization of existing equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representatives logistics, engineering, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $130 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important partner which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed recertification program will allow the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces to extend the shelf life of the PAC-2 missiles in its inventory for an additional twelve years.
The proposed recertification program will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Raytheon Corporation in Andover, Massachusetts. The recertification process will be performed by Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale
Implementation of this proposed sale will require one contractor representative to travel to the Missile Assembly Disassembly Facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on an extended basis for missile assembly/disassembly support, system checkout, training and technical and logistics support.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2012/Saudi_Arabia_12-65.pdf

bizarre…. Seulement recertification program ?
Après les commandes des voisins et surtout la dernière commande d’avant hier pour le C4I je m’attendais plutôt à une commande THAAD ou PAC3…bizarre

Citation :

Senators Seek Halt to US Bomb Sales for Saudi War
Joe Gould, Defense News 8:50 a.m. EDT June 10, 2016


WASHINGTON — Two senators on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee are pressing ahead with their fight to limit American bomb sales to Saudi Arabia in protest for Riyadh's conduct of its military intervention in Yemen's civil war.

Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced an amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would bar US sales of air-to-ground munitions until Saudi Arabia promises to take precautions to limit civilian casualties and combat terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda alongside Houthi rebels.

In a Senate floor speech Wednesday, Murphy said the US involvement in the aerial war, which includes targeting intelligence and air-to-air refueling sorties, contravenes US national security interests and damages Washington's credibility in the region. The US is complicit, he said, in a humanitarian crisis that has fueled the growth of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.


http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2016/06/09/senators-seek-halt-us-bomb-sales-saudi-war/85655292/

Citation :

Saturday, 11 June 2016
Russia May Offer Project 22160 Patrol Ships to Saudi Arabia

Russia may offer five Project 22160 patrol ships to Saudi Arabia, according to the annual report of Zelenodolsk Shipyard named after M. Gorky. According to the shipyard, Project 22160 ship is designed for guarding the territorial waters, patrolling the exclusive economic zone on open and enclosed seas, stemming smuggling and piracy, searching and rescuing ships in distress, monitoring the environment, escorting ships and vessels and guarding naval bases and sea areas...






http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

Citation :

Boeing to Integrate AGM-84 on Saudi F-15SA
(Source: Alert 5; posted June 15, 2016)
Information published on the U.S. Federal Business Opportunities website reveals that Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to negotiate and award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract with Boeing for the integration of the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile on the Saudi F-15SA.

Solicitation Number N00019-16-P2-PMA-201-0267 disclosed that the contract award is anticipated for the third quarter fiscal year 2016.

NAVAIR justifies the sole-source award as “Boeing alone has the experience, special skills; proprietary technical documentation, software/algorithms; facilities and manufacturing techniques required to produce, assemble and integrate this equipment and furnish the supplies and services within the required timeframe.”

(ends)



Harpoon Integration and Verification of Joint Common Test Set (JCTS)
(Source: Federal Business Opportunities website; issued June 02, 2016)
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to negotiate and award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract action for the modification of a United States Navy (USN) Harpoon Captive Carriage Exercise Missile (CCEM) to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) configuration in support of Harpoon integration on the F-15SA and verification testing of the Joint Common Test Set (JCTS).

Contract award is anticipated for the third quarter fiscal year 2016. This contract supports a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer.

This acquisition is being pursued on a sole source basis under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

NAVAIR intends to award this effort to The Boeing Company.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any capability statements, proposals, or quotations received within thirty days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government.

The Boeing Company is the sole designer, developer, manufacturer and integrator of the Harpoon Weapon System, SLAM-ER missiles, and the related equipment. Boeing alone has the experience, special skills; proprietary technical documentation, software/algorithms; facilities and manufacturing techniques required to produce, assemble and integrate this equipment and furnish the supplies and services within the required timeframe.

Accordingly, The Boeing Company is the only known qualified, responsible source that can fulfill the requirements specified herein. Subcontracting opportunities may be available and should be sought with The Boeing.

There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award or awards, or be responsible for any money expended by interested parties before award of a contract for the effort described above. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract.

The data associated with the Harpoon Weapon System and SLAM-ER missiles is export controlled and is not available to foreign sources or representatives.





http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/174744/boeing-to-integrate-agm_84-harpoon-on-saudi-f_15sa.html

Citation :

Armement : l'Arabie Saoudite fera-t-elle un geste pour la France ?

 Par Michel Cabirol       |   17/06/2016

 
Le vice-prince héritier de l'Arabie saoudte Mohammed bin Salman sera à Paris le 27 juin (Crédits : CHARLES PLATIAU)

La visite du vice-prince héritier et ministre de la Défense saoudien, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz le 27 juin pourrait débloquer et faire avancer plusieurs dossiers d'armement en suspens entre les deux pays.  


Viendra, viendra pas? Plusieurs fois reportée, la visite du vice-prince héritier et ministre de la Défense saoudien, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, qui était initialement attendu le 22 mars et le 25, est programmée le 27 juin. Si elle se concrétise, elle pourrait débloquer et faire avancer plusieurs dossiers d'armement en suspens entre les deux pays, dont celui portant sur la vente de 39 patrouilleurs fabriqués par Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN). De son côté, Thales poursuit ses discussions sur la vente du système de défense anti-aérien Mark3. Enfin, DCNS pousse ses corvettes Gowind.

CMN dans les starting-blocks

Le contrat le plus mature, dont la mise en vigueur traine depuis des mois et des mois, est celui du chantier naval de Cherbourg, CMN, propriété de l'homme d'affaires franco-libanais Iskandar Safa. Sans passer par l'aide de la société ODAS, CMN a signé il y a plusieurs mois un contrat avec Ryad pour la vente de plus de 39 patrouilleurs de 35 mètres équipés du système de combat Tacticos, le CMS de Thales Nederland, pour un montant de 600 millions de dollars environ. Dix patrouilleurs seront assemblés localement par le chantier naval saoudien incontournable Zamil, proche de la famille régnante, dans le cadre de la nouvelle politique de "saoudisation" de Mohammed bin Salman.

Si ce contrat n'a toujours pas été mis en vigueur par l'Arabie Saoudite, le chantier normand a franchi au premier trimestre un jalon très important. Il a obtenu des garanties bancaires d'un consortium de banques russes et du Golfe. En dépit des pressions de l'État français, les banques tricolores n'avaient quant à elle pas souhaité accompagner CMN. En outre, le chantier est en train d'adapter les trois corvettes vendues initialement à la marine libanaise dans le cadre du contrat Donas aux demandes des forces saoudiennes. Cette mise à niveau des matériels tient compte des spécificités de la marine saoudienne et de l'environnement du royaume.

Mark 3, mirage ou réalité?

Selon des sources concordantes, Thales discute activement avec Ryad de la vente de du système de défense anti-aérienne de courte portée Mark 3 (Crotale NG). Une campagne toujours vivace en dépit des très longues discussions qui s'étirent sur plusieurs années entre l'Arabie saoudite et la France. Le système proposé par Thales à base de missiles VT1 a détruit des roquettes lors de démonstrations présentées aux forces armées saoudiennes. Ce qui a beaucoup intéressé les Saoudiens soucieux de mieux protéger leurs troupes et les populations au contact des rebelles chiites houthis, qui utilisent fréquemment des roquettes pour bombarder le sud du Royaume.

Thales a donc refait une offre "en saoudisant" sa proposition. Les négociations portaient entre autre sur ce point précis entre le groupe et Ryad. Aucune signature n'est attendue le 27 juin, sauf très belle surprise. A terme, l'électronicien espère signer un contrat global (en plusieurs tranches ?) d'une valeur totale de 4 milliards d'euros pour équiper la défense anti-aérienne de courte portée du royaume, qui est composée de systèmes de missiles Shahine (Crotale amélioré, monté sur châssis AMX 30). Thales est le fournisseur attitré du Royaume depuis près de trente ans de sa défense anti-aérienne (contrat Al Thakeb en 1984).

Des corvettes Gowind pour la marine

DCNS propose à la marine saoudienne cinq corvettes Gowind de 2.500 tonnes, proches de celle vendues à l'Égypte pour compléter la flotte de l'est. Soit un contrat estimé à environ 1,5 milliard. Le groupe naval tricolore, qui propose un vaste transfert de technologies (ToT) avec son partenaire saoudien Zamil, espère que les discussions avec l'Arabie Saoudite progresseront dans le cadre de la visite du vice-prince héritier. DCNS doit faire face à la concurrence de BAE Systems qui propose aux Saoudiens quatre à six corvettes de la classe Khareef, trois patrouilleurs et deux chasseurs de mines. A plus long terme, DCNS vise le renouvellement de la flotte de l'est des frégates (trois à six bâtiments).
Il est également possible que Ryad commande au vu de ses besoins opérationnels deux avions-ravitailleurs A330-200 MRTT d'Airbus supplémentaires. L'armée de l'air saoudienne, qui a en déjà six en service (trois commandés en janvier 2008, puis trois autres en juillet 2009), a reçu le sixième appareil en juin 2015. A terme, elle pourrait disposer de douze A330 MRTT.

http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/armement-l-arabie-saoudite-fera-t-elle-un-geste-a-la-france-579624.html  

quote]Baku, Ankara Start Joint Military Exercises in Turkey




BAKU (Sputnik) – Baku and Ankara are holding joint military drills in Turkey, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said Monday.
"According to the military plan of bilateral cooperation, Azerbaijan and Turkey launched the ISIK-2016 military drills," a press release from the ministry reads.

According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, three Mil Mi-17 military transport helicopters and three Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters left Azerbaijan for a Turkish military base in the central city of Konya.

The exercises, that according to media reports will reportedly involve troops from Hungary, Romania, Saudi Arabia and Northern Cyprus, are due to last until June 30.


http://sputniknews.com/world/20160620/1041618122/turkey-azerbaijan-joint-military-exercises.html



[/quote]

Citation :

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Meets Heads of US Military Companies
(Source: Saudi Gazette; published June 18, 2016)
WASHINGTON --- Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense held at his residence here meetings on Friday with several companies specializing in military equipment, Saudi Press Agency reported.

He met separately with the presidents and staff of Boeing, Raytheon International and Lockheed Martin International. The meetings dealt with Saudi Vision 2030 that aims to localize military industries and industrial and technological activities, training services and support services.

The companies welcomed the Kingdom’s ambitious programs and expressed their readiness to participate with an effective role in these programs.

In another development, the CEO of Middle East Policies Council in the US, Dr. Thomas Matir, stressed the importance of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s current visit to the US.

In a statement to SPA he said: “The visit by the Deputy Crown Prince during which he met with US President Barack Obama and a number of American officials and investors is in the interest of boosting the Saudi-American partnership and upgrading it to higher levels so as to express the strength of the alliance between the two countries.”

He further said that the importance and vitality of the visit lies in the discussions on intensifying defense relations between the Kingdom and the US, the exchange of intelligence information, cooperation in the field of combating terror, aside from bolstering cooperation in resolving the current regional conflicts that threaten the joint interests of the two countries.

Apart from this, he drew attention to the fact that it is high time for American investors to shed light on the courageous and intelligent plans for reforming the economy in Saudi Arabia on the basis of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020. This will make Saudi Arabia the most important power regionally and globally.

He expressed his belief that the American decision-makers, legislators and big businessmen now understand very well the importance of raising the level of partnership with Saudi Arabia after their meeting with the Deputy Crown Prince and listening to him on the Kingdom’s economic plans and programs that are in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.




http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/174830/saudi-deputy-crown-prince-meets-us-defense-ceos.html

Citation :

Capability analysis: Saudi Arabia airborne ISR

Martin Streetly, London and Reed Foster - IHS Jane's International Defence Review
24 June 2016



Key Points
Saudi Arabia is introducing King Air 350 airfrcraft configured for ISR
The aircraft will fill capability gaps in a number of areas
Saudi Arabia's decision to expand its fleet of special mission intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft is perhaps unsurprising given the kingdom's significant requirement for dedicated ISR platforms.

Sierra Nevada Corporation has been selected to integrate a range of intelligence collection sensors and communication systems upon two King Air 350 Extended Range (King Air 350ER-ISR) platforms, adding to the existing fleet of King Air 350i ISR aircraft - of which two are known to be in service.



http://www.janes.com/article/61764/capability-analysis-saudi-arabia-airborne-isr

Citation :

UK moves to help Saudis keep Tornados in service to 2025

Tim Ripley, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
01 July 2016



A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) officer is to lead efforts to help Saudi Arabia keep its Panavia Tornado strike aircraft in service until 2025.

The development was revealed by an advertisement posted on the RAF website on 9 June seeking an officer of group captain rank for the role of Tornado transition team manager at the UK Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Projects (MODSAP) office. MODSAP oversees the delivery of government-to-government contracts to supply Saudi Arabia with UK defence equipment.

The officer, who is expected to be appointed in October, will be "responsible for leading a transition team to develop and implement a programme within MODSAP to support the continued operation of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Tornado force until 2025."

This will involve overseeing the development of a Future Operational Support Strategy (FOSS) that has to be ready for endorsement by all relevant stakeholders between December 2017 and December 2018, as well as assuring "UK contracts are awarded and aligned with the FOSS schedule".

Proposals will be developed with BAE Systems, other industry partners, the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), the RAF, and the RSAF "for the introduction of the optimal support framework to allow the RSAF Tornado Force to continue to operate until 2025 following the RAF's drawdown of the UK Tornado force".

A MODSAP "shadow organisation" to support the Saudi Tornado fleet is to be established and operating six months prior to the "final drawdown" of the RAF's Tornado fleet.

The retirement of the RAF's last Tornado GR4 gives the RSAF the opportunity to gain extensive access to spares stockpile and possibly purchase surplus airframes.

An RAF spokesman told IHS Jane's that "decisions on the detail of the future support strategy will be informed by the work of the [transition] team".

A BAE Systems spokesman said that "details and terms of the support we provide to our customers are commercially confidential.

Citation :

Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen: coalition
‘It was intercepted with no injuries... missile launcher was destroyed by Saudi air defences’
Published: 11:23 July 4, 2016


RIYADH: Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile that Yemeni rebels fired towards the kingdom’s southern city of Abha early Monday, the Riyadh-led coalition fighting the insurgents said.

“It was intercepted with no injuries,” the coalition said in a statement, adding that the missile launcher was destroyed by Saudi air defences.

It was at least the fourth ballistic missile launched across the border since UN-brokered peace talks began in Kuwait in April between Yemen’s Al Houthi rebels and the government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Fighting has continued despite a formal ceasefire in conjunction with the peace talks.

Al Houthis, which Saudi Arabia says are backed by Iran, are allied with elite troops loyal to Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

They overran Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014 before moving into other parts of the country, prompting the coalition to intervene with air strikes and other support in March last year.

Saudi Arabia has deployed Patriot missile batteries to counter tactical ballistic missiles, which have been fired occasionally during the war.

The UN special envoy to Yemen, Esmail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, said on Wednesday that the warring parties were taking a two-week break from the peace talks which have made little headway.

The UN says more than 6,400 people have been killed in Yemen since March last year, most of them civilians.

Fighting has driven 2.8 million people from their homes and left more than 80 per cent of the population needing humanitarian aid.

On the Saudi side of the frontier, dozens of civilians and soldiers died in skirmishes and artillery barrages earlier in the war.




http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/saudi-arabia-intercepts-ballistic-missile-from-yemen-coalition-1.1856989

Citation :

Saudi Arabia to receive VAB Mk3 and Sherpa armored vehicles ordered for Lebanon
Jul 8, 2016


Saudi Arabia has suspended a $3 billion aid package to the Lebanese Army to buy French weapons and decided to receive 200 armoured vehicles that it ordered from France for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). That reported by Jane’s Defence Weekly.

Saudi Arabia is set to receive 100 VAB Mk3 6X6 armored personnel carriers and 100 Sherpa light tactical vehicles for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) it ordered from France.

During the Eurosatory show held in Paris in June, Nexter revealed it had an order to supply ARX25 weapon stations for 100 VAB Mk3 APCs ordered by a Middle Eastern country it declined to identify. It said the initial deliveries are scheduled for 2018.

The ARX25 is fitted with a stabilised 25 mm M811 dual-feed autocannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.

The Sherpa Light family of 4×4 tactical and light armoured vehicles is designed to provide light forces (infantry, paratroopers, marines, internal security…). In addition to its outstanding on and off-road performances, the Sherpa Light is fully air transportable (A400M/C-130), multirole and ready for being up-armoured (ballistic and mine kits). The Sherpa Light has already been adopted by NATO, France and other countries.

http://defence-blog.com/army/saudi-arabia-to-receive-vab-mk3-and-sherpa-armored-vehicles-ordered-for-lebanon.html

Citation :

Saudi Arabia may buy Ukrainian Falarick gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles
Jul 12, 2016

Saudi Arabia may buy Ukrainian Falarick gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles for its new VAB Mark 3 armored personnel carrier equipped with Cockerill CSE 90LP and LCTS 90MP turrets.

Saudi Arabia is set to receive 100 VAB Mk3 6X6 armored personnel carriers and a part of combat vehicles can be equipped with Belgian Cockerill CSE 90LP or LCTS 90MP turret which able to fire the Ukrainian long-range Falarick Gun-Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile (GLATGM).

The Falarick is a Gun-Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile developed by State Enterprise “State Kyiv Design Bureau “Luch”. Round comprising antitank guided missile is intended for firing from the LCTS 90 weapon system gun against stationary and moving modern armoured targets with combined, carried or monolithic armour, including ERA (explosive reactive armour), and also against pinpoint targets like weapon emplacements, a tank in a trench, light-armoured objects and



http://defence-blog.com/news/saudi-arabia-may-buy-ukrainian-falarick-90-missiles.html

Citation :

Arabie: cinq gardes-frontières tués à la frontière avec le Yémen

Lundi 25 Juillet 2016 modifié le Lundi 25 Juillet 2016 - 20:06

Cinq gardes-frontières saoudiens ont été tués lundi dans de violents combats avec "des éléments ennemis" qui tentaient de s'infiltrer dans le sud de l'Arabie saoudite depuis la frontière avec le Yémen, a annoncé le ministère saoudien de l'Intérieur.


Les cinq hommes ont péri dans les combats qui ont duré huit heures après que les gardes-frontières saoudiens ont affronté "des groupes armés d'éléments ennemis qui ont tenté de s'infiltrer en plusieurs endroits" dans la région de Najrane, frontalière du Yémen, a ajouté un porte-parole du ministère, cité par l'agence de presse officielle Spa.

Soutenus par l'armée de terre, les gardes-frontières saoudiens ont mis en échec la tentative d'infiltration, qui a commencé à 06H00 du matin locales (03H00 GMT), a-t-il encore dit sans donner d'autres détails.

Le sud de l'Arabie saoudite, notamment les zones frontalières du Yémen, sont la cible d'attaques sporadiques lancées depuis que Ryad a, en mars 2015, pris la tête d'une coalition arabe qui intervient militairement au Yémen.

Cette coalition soutient le président yéménite Abd Rabbo Mansour contre des rebelles chiites Houthis alliés à l'ex-président du Yémen Ali Abdallah Saleh. Les rebelles et leurs alliés contrôlent toujours la capitale Sanaa et de vastes portions du territoire.

Quelque 100 militaires et civils ont été tués du côté saoudien par des tirs et des explosions depuis le début de l'intervention de la coalition.

A Sanaa, un porte-parole militaire des rebelles, le général Charaf Ghaleb Loqman, a affirmé lundi que ses hommes avaient tiré un missile balistique de type Tochka contre un camp militaire saoudien dans la région de Jizan, également dans le sud de l'Arabie saoudite.

Ce tir a provoqué des dégâts matériels et des pertes humaines dans les rangs des Saoudiens, a ajouté ce porte-parole, cité par le site sabanews.net des rebelles.

Du côté yéménite de la frontière, de violents combats opposent depuis jeudi dernier les forces progouvernementales aux rebelles, ont indiqué lundi des sources militaires yéménites.

Ces combats dans le nord-ouest du Yémen, près de la frontière saoudienne, ont fait en cinq jours 82 morts, dont 48 rebelles, ont ajouté les mêmes sources.

Des pourparlers de paix pour résoudre ce conflit qui a fait plus de 6.400 morts depuis mars 2015 ont lieu à Koweït mais n'ont pas connu d'avancée notable à ce jour.

(Source AFP)

Mort de deux pilotes saoudiens dans le crash de leur hélicoptère au Yémen


http://air.dfns.net/2016/07/26/saudi-ah-64-apache-attack-helicopter-crashed-in-yemen/


RIP

Citation :

Lockheed Martin gets $58 million Patriot missile contract modification


Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control was awarded a $58,111,201 Foreign Military Sales contract modification for Saudi and Qatari Patriot system upgrade.


The U.S. Army contract modification will go toward a modification of the Patriot system missile segment enhancement software.

Work will be performed in Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2019.

Patriot is a long-range, high altitude, all-weather air and missile defense solution that has been rigorously tested more than 2,500 times with U.S. Army oversight under real-world conditions.




http://www.armyrecognition.com/august_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/lockheed_martin_gets_$58_million_patriot_missile_contract_modification_50308161.html

Citation :

Saudi Arabia to buy new Ukrainian-made «Grom-2» tactical missile systems
Aug 8, 2016



Saudi Arabia is discussing buying Ukrainian-made «Grom-2» tactical missile systems, according to the press service of the Pavlograd Chemical Plant.

Ukraine’s defense companies have received from Saudi Arabia around $40 million to develop the Grom-2 tactical ballistic missile system, Ukrainian media reported.

Ukraine will perform the first test launch of new tactical missile systems in the second half of 2016.

The «Grom-2» has a range of 350km (max 500km), developed by Yuzhnoye Design Bureau and the Pavlograd Chemical Plant are in charge of developing the weapon and testing.

Earlier Russian media reported, that Saudi Arabia setting terms for the purchase of Russian Iskander missiles, but Information obtained by Stratfor reveals that Saudi Arabia has no plans to purchase military hardware from Russia, including the Iskander-E, a tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear weapon.



http://defence-blog.com/news/saudi-arabia-to-buy-new-ukrainian-made-grom-2-tactical-missile-systems.html

153 ABRAMS pour l'Arabie Saoudite :

Citation :

WASHINGTON, Aug 9, 2016 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for M1A2S Saudi Abrams Main Battle Tanks and M88Al/A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARV), equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.15 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 8, 2016.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale of up to one hundred fifty-three (153) M1Al/A2 Tank structures for conversion to one hundred thirty-three (133) M1A2S Saudi Abrams configured Main Battle Tanks and twenty (20) battle damage replacements for their existing fleet; one hundred fifty-three (153) M2 .50 Caliber Machine Guns; two hundred sixty-six (266) 7.62mm M240 Machine Guns; one hundred thirty-three (153) M250 Smoke Grenade Launchers; twenty (20) M88A l/A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) Structures for conversion to twenty (20) M88Al/A2 HERCULES ARVs; one hundred sixty-nine (169) AN/VAS-5 Driver Vision Enhancer-Abrams (DVE-A); one hundred thirty-three (133) AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Devices; four thousand two hundred fifty-six (4,256) Rounds M865 Training Ammunition; and two thousand three hundred ninety-four (2,394) Rounds M831Al Training Ammunition. Also included are M1Al/A2 Tank and M88Al/A2 ARV overhaul, conversion and refurbishment services; Special Tools and Test Equipment; Basic Issue Items; Program Management Support; Verification Testing; System Technical Support; Advanced Gunnery Training System (AGTS); Deployable Advanced Gunnery Training System (DAGTS); Transportation, Binoculars, Camouflage Netting; spare and repair parts; communications equipment; personnel training and training equipment; tool and test equipment; 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 estimated value is $1.15 billion.

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-m1a2s-saudi-abrams-main-battle-tanks-and-m88ala2-heavy

Citation :

Bonus pour les soldats saoudiens participant à la guerre au Yémen


AFP 15/08/2016

Le roi Salmane d'Arabie saoudite a ordonné de verser un mois de salaire supplémentaire à chaque soldat participant aux opérations militaires au Yémen, a rapporté l'agence de presse officielle SPA.

Ce bonus a été annoncé sur fond d'intensification des opérations contre les rebelles chiites houthis qui contrôlent la capitale yéménite Sanaa et le nord du pays. Les combats ont repris de plus belle après la suspension le 6 août de pourparlers de paix entre gouvernement et rebelles yéménites sous l'égide de l'Onu au Koweït.

Le souverain saoudien a ordonné de "verser un mois de salaire supplémentaire à ceux qui participent effectivement (aux opérations) sur les lignes de front" au Yémen, a indiqué l'agence SPA dans la nuit de dimanche à lundi. "Cet ordre concerne les employés du ministère de l'Intérieur, ceux du ministère de la Défense et les membres de la Garde nationale", a ajouté SPA, sans préciser combien cela coûtera aux finances publiques.
Ces dépenses supplémentaires interviennent au moment où l'Arabie saoudite fait face à un énorme déficit budgétaire (80 milliards d'euros annoncés pour 2016), provoqué par la chute des prix du pétrole.

Des dizaines de soldats saoudiens ont été tués au Yémen ou à la frontière avec ce pays depuis le début de l'intervention en mars 2015 de l'Arabie saoudite à la tête d'une coalition arabe au Yémen.
Cette coalition intervient contre les rebelles houthis pro-iraniens et en soutien au gouvernement yéménite du président Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, reconnu par la communauté internationale.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1001862/bonus-pour-les-soldats-saoudiens-participant-a-la-guerre-au-yemen.html

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Western Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia Under Threat Amid Plans to Block US Deal
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16:48 15.08.2016
With the UK already facing a legal challenge over its continued arms sales to Saudi Arabia, senators in the US have proposed blocking the latest sale of weapons to the Gulf kingdom, raising questions about the future of Western military support for Riyadh.
Less than a week after the US government approved the possible sale of US$1.15 billion worth of tanks, machine guns and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia, Republican senator Rand Paul is now considering blocking the deal.
"I will work with a bipartisan coalition to explore forcing a vote on blocking this sale," he said a statement to Foreign Policy magazine.


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/us/20160815/1044284886/us-saudi-arms-sales-block.html#ixzz4HPv05EXW

Saudi signs $3 billion deal with UK for BAE Hawk trainer jets

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ا DUBAI/LONDON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, has signed a $3 billion deal to buy 30 more Hawk jets from British defense group BAE Systems to train pilots to fly the Eurofighter Typhoon jets which it has already ordered from BAE. [ID:nL6E8F38YA]

Saudi Arabia's official news agency SPA quoted an unnamed official at the Saudi Defense Ministry on Wednesday as saying the deal, which includes the jets and related support services and devices, would help train "the Saudi air force to be able to use the fighter jets ... efficiently".

A source familiar with the deal told Reuters the agreement is for 30 Hawk trainer aircraft with BAE. The company is expected to announce details later on Wednesday.

The sale provides some welcome relief for the British defense giant, which is battling against shrinking defense budgets in Europe and America.

However, the order is likely to come too late to save 845 jobs at BAE's Hawk factory in Brough, Yorkshire, which is set to close.

Earlier this year, BAE said its chances of delivering profit growth in 2012 hinged on talks to finalize a range of contracts with Saudi Arabia in a year marked by tight government defense budgets.

In December the United States signed a $29.4 billion deal to sell 84 new F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a long-expected move that the Obama administration said would boost Gulf security amid tension with Iran.

In 2007 Saudi Arabia signed the contract with BAE to buy 72 Typhoon aircraft, 24 of which have been delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force. The Salam deal, as it is known, is worth around 4.5 billion pounds ($7.3 billion).

http://en.terra.com/news/news/saudi_signs_3_billion_deal_with_uk_for_bae_hawk_trainer_jets/act479867

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US Scales Back Saudi Cooperation as Pressure Builds on West to Ditch Riyadh



Following a push by US senators to block the latest sale of arms to Saudi Arabia, Washington announced that it is withdrawing dozens of advisers assisting with Riyadh's military campaign in Yemen. The decision comes amid growing pressure in the US and UK to reduce its support of the Gulf kingdom.

Fewer than five advisers from an initial 45 will remain in the US "Joint Combined Planning Cell," created to assist Saudi forces with its military offensive in Yemen.

While US officials have denied the decision was made in light of growing concerns over civilian casualties and the humanitarian impact that the military bombardment was having in Yemen, Pentagon spokesperson Adam Stump turned his attention to Saudi practices during the conflict.

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160822/1044525714/us-saudi-arms-yemen.html

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Houthis destroyed several Saudi armoured vehicles due to breakage of Georgian-made Didgori Medevac
Aug 24, 2016





Houthi forces ambush Saudi Army near Najran in southwestern Saudi Arabia and have destroyed several Saudi Arabian armoured vehicles due to breakage of Georgian-made Didgori medical armoured personnel carrier developed by the “Delta”.

Delta earlier announced that it had won a GEL100 million (USD40 million) contract to supply “several dozen” vehicles to Saudi Arabia after its offering won trials held in Saudi Arabia in 2014.

Footage emerged of the Yemeni Republican Guard and the supporting Popular Mobilization Forces ambushing Saudi vehicles in Najran, a province in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi regime has so far failed to stop the Yemeni advance that has reached Najran Dam amidst Houthi advances on almost all fronts. A few days ago, Yemeni forces managed tosurround Saudi-backed forces in the imperative city of Taiz in southern Yemen by cutting all supply lines to the city from Aden.

During the battle, Didgori armoured vehicle had suspension damage and blocked the way for light armoured vehicles (LAV). Crews of Saudi fighting vehicles were killed.

The Didgori armored medical evacuation vehicle is primary design to insure transportation of wounded soldiers from the front line of military operations and providing first medical aid during transportation. This medical evacuation vehicle on universal Ford F550 4×4 chassis and fully designed, assembled and tested by State Military Scientific-Technical Center “Delta” in Georgia.



http://defence-blog.com/army/houthis-have-destroyed-several-saudi-armoured-vehicles-due-to-breakage-of-georgian-made-didgori-medevac.html

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US to deliver first AH-6i helos to Saudi Arabia 'as soon as possible'

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
26 August 2016



The US government is making the final preparations for the shipment of 24 Boeing AH-6i Little Bird light attack and reconnaissance helicopters to Saudi Arabia, with a solicitation for their transportation being posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website on 24 August.

According to the notification, the first 12 helicopters will be transported to the kingdom by air to get them to the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) "as soon as possible", with the remaining 12 to follow by ship.

With production now fully underway at Boeing's Mesa facility in Arizona, deliveries were supposed to have commenced at the end of July but had been delayed for unspecified reasons. Reporters were shown the first batch of six helicopters on the line in June (though Boeing declined to name the customer) and, with production scheduled to run at two airframes per month, the last of SANG's helicopters are scheduled to arrive on the line in February 2017.

The AH-6i features an enhanced powerplant, payload, and avionics package, giving it enhanced 'hot and high' capabilities; a large and varied arsenal that includes 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns and AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles; and interoperability with the latest-variant AH-64E Apache Guardian.

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Saudis Revealed as Possible Secret Buyer of Ukraine's 'Grom' Missile System



Earlier this month, Ukrainian media reported that significant progress had been made on the development of a Grom-2, a new tactical ballistic missile system meant to compete with Russia's Iskander SRBM. Now, new information has become available regarding the weapons system, including its secretive financier. At the beginning of the month, speaking to local media, Pavlograd Chemical Plant director Leonid Schiemann revealed that after receiving financing of about one billion hryvnia ($40 million) from an unnamed investor, engineers at enterprises under the umbrella of the Ukrainian State Space Agency had made significant progress in the development of the Grom-2, an analogue to the Russian Iskander tactical ballistic and cruise missile complex. Recently, BMPD, a military blog unofficially affiliated with the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, a respected Moscow-based think tank, revealed that the Grom-2 project was commissioned by the Saudis, who provided the Pavlograd Chemical Plant with about $40 million in financing to develop the missile complex for Riyadh. According to BMPD, the Saudis are looking for a system capable of firing both ballistic and cruise missiles interchangeably.



Information regarding Grom-2's ongoing development was first provided at the Arms and Security exhibition in Kiev last year, with the concept for the system dating back as far as 2003, at which time the country could not find the necessary development funding. The system is expected to feature two ground-to-ground missiles, and to have a range of 280 km (with possible upgrades increasing that to 500 km); Grom-2 is expected to use the prospective 'Korshun' ('Kite') cruise missile. The system's designers have claimed that Grom-2's unconventional flight trajectory will enable it to defeat the most advanced missile defense systems, including Russia's S-300 and S-400. Asked to comment on BMPD's reporting on the Saudi trace, Andrei Frolov, an expert at CAST and chief editor of Arms Export magazine, suggested that the details behind the story remain very murky.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160828/1044719156/ukraine-saudi-grom-missile-system.html